The ruling People Power Party held budget policy meetings with Gyeongbuk Province and Daegu City on November 11, addressing the issue of 'TK passing' and pledging to secure local budget allocations. They also criticized the government's Future Response Fund, claiming it could undermine local finances.
Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo raised concerns about regional neglect during the Gyeongbuk Future Growth Budget Policy Council held at the National Assembly. He stated, "The term 'TK passing' is being discussed by everyone in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. People say nothing has been accomplished since this government took office." He criticized the reduction of local allocation taxes, saying, "It is money promised to the people, who pay taxes, to be given to local governments, yet it is being taken away in the middle of the process."
Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo echoed these sentiments at the subsequent Daegu Change and Growth Budget Policy Council, stating, "Citizens cannot understand why Daegu has been completely excluded from the three major mega-projects and why Gyeongbuk University was not selected for the '10 Seoul National Universities' initiative." He called for the additional selection of Gyeongbuk University and a shift to national leadership for the new airport project.
In response, the People Power Party emphasized legislative and budget support for regional priorities, including the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk and the construction of the integrated new airport. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk remarked, "Discussions on the integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk have been thwarted by political interests instead of being framed within the larger context of Korea's future development." He stressed the need for cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties to expedite administrative integration, describing the construction of the integrated new airport as a task that cannot be delayed any longer, pledging support for related special law amendments and project advancement.
Criticism surrounding the establishment of the Future Response Fund continued. During the Gyeongbuk Budget Policy Council, Jang pointed out, "While the president created the Future Response Fund, local allocation taxes and local education financial grants have been reduced by 63 trillion won." He noted that Gyeongbuk has experienced the largest decrease in local allocation taxes. Floor leader Jeong Geum-sik added, "If the restructuring of local allocation tax systems coinciding with the establishment of the 162 trillion won Future Response Fund is realized, Gyeongbuk's ordinary allocation tax is expected to decrease by 4.5 trillion won, the highest in the nation."
Similar concerns were raised in Daegu. Mayor Hong stated, "The government is reportedly taking 30.5 trillion won in allocation taxes meant for local governments and redirecting it to the Future Response Fund, effectively robbing local futures while claiming to respond to future needs."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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