Lee aide floats possibility of another extra budget in H2 if Mideast crisis drags on | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Sunday that the government could consider an additional supplementary budget in the second half should the Middle East crisis persists. Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, made the remarks in a radio interview, denying the main opposition's claim that the 26.2 trillion-won (US$17.3 billion) extra budget bill, pending a parliamentary review, is aimed at gaining political leverage ahead of the upcoming June 3 local elections. "We are cautiously projecting that if the situation in the Middle East is prolonged, we might need an additional supplementary budget in the second half, even after the current extra budget," Hong said on MBN radio. Security Council level due to opposition from China and Russia," he said. "In this regard, there are significant limitations in our ability to provide support under international law." elly@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee aide #supplementary budget Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S. Korea's premier inspects cement factory BTS-themed musical fountain Black Eagles in Yeouido Cherry blossom festival prev Lee aide floats possibility of another extra budget in H2 if Mideast crisis drags on Next Lee aide floats possibility of another extra budget in H2 if Mideast crisis drags on

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SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Sunday that the government could consider an additional supplementary budget in the second half should the Middle East crisis persists.
Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, made the remarks in a radio interview, denying the main opposition's claim that the 26.2 trillion-won (US$17.3 billion) extra budget bill, pending a parliamentary review, is aimed at gaining political leverage ahead of the upcoming June 3 local elections.
"We are cautiously projecting that if the situation in the Middle East is prolonged, we might need an additional supplementary budget in the second half, even after the current extra budget," Hong said on MBN radio.
Hong cited downward revisions of about 0.4 percentage point to South Korea's growth outlook for this year by research institutes at home and abroad, as well as a continued uptrend in fuel prices despite tax cuts.
Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul in this March 25, 2026, file photo. (Yonhap)
"We do not know how many more months the war in the Middle East will last, and even after it ends, it will take at least three to four months for supply channels to normalize," he said.
Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for allies to assist his war efforts against Iran, Hong reiterated a cautious stance.
"We remain very cautious," he said. "The United States has not formally requested South Korea deploy troops."
He went on to note that any country would face diplomatic burdens in sending troops or providing military support, saying that this war did not begin after prior diplomatic consultations or close coordination.
"It is also difficult to reach any conclusion at the U.N. Security Council level due to opposition from China and Russia," he said. "In this regard, there are significant limitations in our ability to provide support under international law."
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Lee aide floats possibility of another extra budget in H2 if Mideast crisis drags on
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Lee aide floats possibility of another extra budget in H2 if Mideast crisis drags on

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Security Council level due to opposition from China and Russia," he said. "In this regard, there are significant limitations in our ability to provide support under international law." elly@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee aide #supplementary budget Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Areas for Consideration
- President Donald Trump's calls for allies to assist his war efforts against Iran, Hong reiterated a cautious stance. "We remain very cautious," he said. "The United States has not formally requested South Korea deploy troops." He went on to note that any country would face diplomatic burdens in sending troops or providing military support, saying that this war did not begin after prior diplomatic consultations or close coordination. "It is also difficult to reach any conclusion at the U.N.
- Security Council level due to opposition from China and Russia," he said. "In this regard, there are significant limitations in our ability to provide support under international law." elly@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee aide #supplementary budget Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- OK SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said Sunday that the government could consider an additional supplementary budget in the second half should the Middle East crisis persists.
- Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, made the remarks in a radio interview, denying the main opposition's claim that the 26.2 trillion-won (US$17.3 billion) extra budget bill, pending a parliamentary review, is aimed at gaining political leverage ahead of the upcoming June 3 local elections. "We are cautiously projecting that if the situation in the Middle East is prolonged, we might need an additional supplementary budget in the second half, even after the current extra budget," Hong said on MBN radio.
- Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul in this March 25, 2026, file photo. (Yonhap) "We do not know how many more months the war in the Middle East will last, and even after it ends, it will take at least three to four months for supply channels to normalize," he said.
- Security Council level due to opposition from China and Russia," he said. "In this regard, there are significant limitations in our ability to provide support under international law." elly@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Lee aide #supplementary budget Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers budget, korea, hong topics. Notable strengths include discussion of budget. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 592.