Gov`t focuses on prompt execution of next year`s budget

SEOUL, Dec. 16 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Tuesday it will not hold officials accountable for any unintended fallout caused by the fast-tracking of next year's budget plans aimed at shoring up the slowing economy.
After months of deadlock, on Saturday the National Assembly passed a long-delayed
budget for 2009 despite a boycott by opposition party legislators who had
demanded sharp adjustments in the spending plan. The 284.5 trillion won (US$207
billion) budget assumes an annual economic growth of about 4 percent, far above
the central bank's estimate of 2 percent.
Following orders from President Lee Myung-bak, who told ministries Sunday to
"waste no time" in spending the allocated funds, the Cabinet passed a law which
largely exempts officials from any responsibility in the course of executing the
budget.
Any unintended expenditures or similar irregularities will be overlooked, and
only those who make deliberate mistakes or are accused of misappropriation or
corruption will be punished.
"The decision was made for the sake of an immediate implementation of urgent
economic tasks," Vice Culture Minister Shin Jae-min told reporters after
attending the Cabinet meeting Tuesday.
Next year's budget marks a 10.6 percent increase from this year, with the focus
being placed on job creation and providing assistance to the underprivileged.
Opposition parties, however, criticize the plan for falling short in its support
measures for the nation's poor and strongly oppose Lee's tax cuts for high-end
homeowners and businesses.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)