South Korea's National Assembly is expected to convene a plenary session in the coming hours for Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon to give a speech on the need for the government's extra budget.
National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang called on the main political parties last week to reach an agreement on the June parliamentary agenda by Monday -- saying deliberations can no longer be delayed.
The government submitted the 5-point-7 billion U.S. dollar extra budget bill to the National Assembly two months ago,... but it has remained untouched during the prolonged standstill at the assembly.
While the door is still open for last-minute negotiations,... the main opposition Liberty Korea Party's schedule today means they won't be in Seoul.
The conservative party is sharply against the extra budget,... claiming the government and ruling party will use it to win over voters ahead of next year's general elections.
At this point, it's likely the budget speech will be held without the main opposition.
