On the 4th, a strong disagreement arose within the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the revised supplementary budget bill (supplementary budget) that was approved by the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, leading to several delays of the scheduled plenary session that day. In particular, it was reported that members of the Democratic Party, who have been advocating for judicial reform, opposed the inclusion of increased special operation expenses for the prosecution in the supplementary budget. As the plenary session was unilaterally delayed due to internal turmoil within the ruling party, the People Power Party strongly criticized this as "the Democratic Party's unilateral management."
Kim Hyun-jung, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, met with reporters shortly after a party meeting in the afternoon and stated, "The plenary session has been extended for two hours," adding, "There were some differences regarding the results of the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts review of the supplementary budget, so the leadership decided to resume discussions after internal discussions in the party meeting."
At the Democratic Party's meeting held before the plenary session, it was reported that there was significant opposition from some members regarding the increase in special operation expenses included in the supplementary budget.
Representative Min Hyung-bae also stated on Facebook, "The plenary session for processing the supplementary budget cannot be held. The Democratic Party meeting has also been suspended," and added, "It's because of the special operation expenses. Allocating 'special operation expenses' in this supplementary budget is not appropriate."
In this situation, the People Power Party members who were in the plenary chamber protested and then exited. The plenary session scheduled for discussing the supplementary budget was originally set to begin at 2 p.m. that day but was postponed to 5:30 p.m. by the Democratic Party citing the need to coordinate amendments with the government.
Song Eon-seok, the People Power Party's floor leader, spoke to reporters outside the plenary chamber and said, "Democratic Party members have differing opinions among themselves, and they are arguing over an agenda that has already passed through the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts and the full committee," adding, "We cannot overlook the outrageous act of delaying the plenary session indefinitely and exhausting the public due to differences among themselves while reinstating the cuts to special operation expenses."
Yu Sang-beom, senior vice floor leader, also added, "Without agreement on the (start time of the plenary session) extension, the Democratic Party's floor leader unilaterally decided to convene the plenary session at 8 p.m. and then went off to dinner," calling it "an act lacking even the most basic courtesy toward the opposition party."