Stressing ‘crisis’ 28 times… President Lee urges swift passage of supplementary budget in National Assembly

President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the word “crisis” 28 times in his policy speech, underscoring the fallout from the war in the Middle East and calling for swift handling of a supplementary budget bill.

In his policy speech to the National Assembly on the 2nd, Lee defined the current situation as a “grave crisis.” He went on to call it “the worst threat to energy security” and described it as a “wartime situation for the people’s economy.”

Lee said, “Above all, we must prepare an even more thorough and robust response given that this situation may not end in the short term,” adding, “The crisis we face is not a brief passing shower, but a massive storm whose duration is unknown. That is why it is all the more a crisis.” He highlighted the “golden time,” warning that “the longer we delay proactive responses to unexpected external shocks, the damage grows exponentially.”

He also stressed the need for the supplementary budget proposal, calling it “a pillar supporting livelihoods, a breakwater that will protect people’s lives from the waves of crisis,” and emphasizing that “the success or failure of overcoming the crisis depends on speed.”

He urged cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties. Lee said, “In the face of a national crisis, let the government and the National Assembly, the ruling and opposition parties, join hands and move forward with a loyal commitment solely for the people and the country.”,

He also called for public participation. Lee said, “A mindset to share the pain and weather the crisis together is more urgently needed than ever,” adding, “Please once again demonstrate the resilience of the Korean people, who have overcome countless national hardships and turned crises into new opportunities.”

In the speech, the word “crisis” appeared 28 times. Including the term “threat,” used twice, the total comes to 30.

Lee Song-ryeol, Hankyung.com reporter yisr0203@hankyung.com