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Acting president to deliver budget speech Thursday

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Acting president to deliver budget speech Thursday
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attends a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Yonhap
  • Published KST

Acting President Han Duck-soo plans to deliver a budget speech on Thursday during which he is expected to ask lawmakers to approve an extra budget bill, a government official said.

The planned budget speech by Han is likely to focus on the extra budget, the official at Han's office told Yonhap News Agency.

It would mark the first time since 1979 that an acting president will deliver a budget speech at the National Assembly.

Han is expected to call for bipartisan cooperation, highlighting the importance of protecting people's livelihoods and national interests.

He is also likely to present the Korean government's stance on U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement of tariffs ahead of Seoul and Washington's "2+2 trade consultations" this week.

Eyes are on whether Han will break his silence on a potential presidential bid amid growing speculation over his candidacy for the June 3 election, triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid.