Our top story this evening, it's been almost three weeks since the government submitted its extra budget proposal to the National Assembly.
The government wants it passed this month so it can have maximum effect, so the clock is ticking.
The government and the ruling party are calling for lawmakers to put aside their differences and get back to work so the bill can move ahead.
Our Kim Min-ji starts us off.
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, the government and the presidential office have pledged to put all their efforts toward getting the 5-point-6 billion U.S. dollar extra budget bill passed before the end of May.
They say downside risks to the economy plus fine dust pollution and recent natural disasters make the extra budget all the more urgent.
In a high-level meeting on Sunday,... the three sides agreed on the need to get legislative activities moving again so lawmakers can start deliberating the bill.
"The three sides were on the same page in regards to swiftly passing the extra budget proposal to deal with fine dust pollution, the aftermath of natural disasters and to revitalize the economy. We will do all we can so that rival parties can agree to pass the proposal this month. We will also work to pass other urgent pending bills."
The government submitted its supplementary budget proposal to the National Assembly in late April.
However, deliberations have been put on hold... amid a prolonged parliamentary standstill.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party has been protesting after the ruling party and minor opposition bloc fast-tracked key reform bills despite their resistance.
The ruling party called on the main opposition to return to the negotiating table, saying that if they really care about the people's livelihoods... then they need to get to work on relevant bills.
"The National Assembly needs to get working again as soon as possible in order to deal with the extra budget proposal as well as other important bills. We call on the Liberty Korea Party to return to talks as soon as possible. We will also actively push for talks between the president as well as the leaders of the rival parties."
The three sides noted that if the extra budget proposal is to be passed by this month, then the policy speech on the bill must be given no later than this week during a plenary session.
They also vowed to step up preparations so the extra budget can be implemented as soon as it's approved.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
