Supreme Court budget rises net 12.03 billion won; Justice Ministry, CIO budgets also increased
PPP boycotts budget review; full committee vote set for Wednesday
The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee budget subcommittee approved Monday the 2027 budget proposals for six agencies under its jurisdiction, including a cut of 324 million won ($239,000) earmarked as bonuses for Supreme Court justices.
People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee did not attend the session, in line with the party's decision to boycott the budget review process.
Led by the Democratic Party of Korea, the subcommittee passed a budget plan that increases the Supreme Court's allocation by 12.35 billion won while cutting 324 million won in headquarters operating expenses, for a net increase of 12.03 billion won.
The roughly 300 million won in headquarters operating expenses that was cut is tied to bonuses paid to Supreme Court justices — spending the Board of Audit and Inspection flagged in August as lacking a legal basis.
The Justice Ministry's general account expenditure budget was increased by 78.16 billion won, and the crime victims protection fund outlay also rose by 5.34 billion won.
The budget for the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials was also increased by 2.73 billion won.
By contrast, the budget proposals for the Ministry of Government Legislation, the Board of Audit and Inspection and the Constitutional Court were approved as originally submitted by the government.
The budget plan passed by the subcommittee Monday is set to go before the full Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for a final vote.
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