🇰🇷 South Korea/Korean 1d ago Economy & Trade

Kim Eun-hye, Holding 'Jim Carrey' Photo, Says 'Superficial Cuts to Budget for Carrying Chinese Tourists' Luggage'

Translated from Korean.

Summary

South Korean lawmaker Kim Eun-hye criticized the government's supplementary budget, particularly a 500 million won allocation for services catering to Chinese tourists, which she dubbed the 'Jim Carrey budget.' While respecting the agreement on the budget, she argued that only a fraction of the funds for Chinese tourists were cut, and the government's focus on China is misplaced.

🇰🇷 Dong-A Ilbo — South Korea

In a dramatic display at the National Assembly, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye has forcefully challenged the government's supplementary budget, highlighting what she perceives as a misplaced and excessive focus on China. Holding up a picture of Hollywood actor Jim Carrey, Kim branded a 500 million won allocation for services supporting Chinese tourists as the 'Jim Carrey budget.' She argued that out of the total 30.6 billion won allocated for five key areas concerning Chinese tourists, a mere 2.5 billion won was superficially reduced, while the rest was inexplicably retained. This move, she contends, demonstrates a concerning 'one-sided love' from the government towards China, using taxpayer money unwisely.

Jim Carrey budget, that is, the budget of 500 million won for carrying the luggage of Chinese tourists, and only 2.5 billion won out of the total 30.6 billion won for the five major budgets for Chinese tourists were cut superficially, and the rest were inevitably saved.

— Kim Eun-hyeDuring a parliamentary session, Kim Eun-hye explains her criticism of the supplementary budget, highlighting the perceived excessive spending on Chinese tourism.

While Kim Eun-hye stated her respect for the cross-party agreement on the supplementary budget and did not formally oppose its passage, her critique was sharp and unwavering. She presented the budget as one that 'should have been reduced but was not,' using the 'Jim Carrey budget' as a prime example of fiscal mismanagement. Her core argument is that the government is merely rebranding initiatives aimed at Chinese tourists under the guise of 'global tourism' to expand them to Southeast Asia, rather than genuinely diversifying tourism sources. This, she asserts, is a misguided allocation of national funds.

I respect the cross-party agreement on the supplementary budget and do not oppose the supplementary budget today.

— Kim Eun-hyeKim Eun-hye acknowledges the agreement on the budget while still proceeding with her criticism.

The People Power Party has consistently voiced concerns about this supplementary budget, labeling it the 'China supplementary budget.' Kim's theatrical presentation underscores the party's deep skepticism regarding the administration's priorities, particularly its perceived leniency towards China at the expense of other potential markets or domestic needs. Her actions signal a strong opposition voice within the legislature, demanding greater fiscal responsibility and a more balanced approach to international relations and economic policy.

I report on the supplementary budget that should have been reduced but was not.

— Kim Eun-hyeKim Eun-hye frames her presentation as a critique of budget items that were not adequately reduced.

It is only changing the name of the project targeting China to 'global tourism' and putting a lid on it to expand it to Southeast Asia.

— Kim Eun-hyeKim Eun-hye criticizes the rebranding of tourism initiatives, arguing it's a superficial change without a real shift in focus.

I cannot understand this government's one-sided love for China, which invests the public's hard-earned money into China.

— Kim Eun-hyeKim Eun-hye expresses her strong disapproval of the government's perceived preferential treatment of China in budget allocations.

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