Rival political parties continue locking horns over the opposition-pushed reduction in the 2025 state budget bill, after failing to meet the legal deadline on Monday for the fourth straight year.

Ruling People Power Party(PPP) floor leader Choo Kyung-ho on Tuesday criticized the main opposition Democratic Party(DP) for deceiving the public by calling for extended finance after slashing the budget bill.

Choo accused the main opposition of unilaterally approving the reduced budget in a bid to push for DP leader Lee Jae-myung's proposed budget for distribution of regional gift certificates.

DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said the budget cut only constitutes zero-point-six percent of the total and that more than half of the reduction was earmarked for reserve funds without specification of where the money would be spent.

The opposition accused the administration of being only interested in cutting taxes for the super rich and protecting privileges for agencies with power, while neglecting the economy and public livelihoods.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged rival parties to prioritize cooperation over their respective political interests, stressing the need for reinstatement of the budget designed to reduce economic risks and bolster the nation's industrial competitiveness.