ย Rival political parties wrangled Thursday over a controversial tax settlement scheme seen by some as hurting the interests of lower income groups.
The government’s new tax settlement scheme has sparked fierce public backlash following revelations it will require some people with an annual income of less than 55 million won ($50,733) to pay additional taxes this year.
On Wednesday, the government and the ruling Saenuri Party agreed to restore and expand certain tax credit categories to make up for the overall increase in the tax burden of some salaried workers.
Still, the main opposition party, New Politics Alliance for Democracy, stepped up calls for more fundamental measures to resolve the issue.
“Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyoung-hwan and other relevant authorities who caused this should be strictly censured,” Moon Hee-sang, NPAD’s interim leader, said during a party meeting.
He also called for creating a panel to begin discussions on raising the corporate tax rate and withdrawing tax cuts for the rich.
Some opposition lawmakers demanded an apology from President Park Geun-hye as well as a parliamentary hearing or parliamentary investigation into the issue.
Members of the ruling party showed mixed reactions to the controversy.
Lee One-koo, the party’s floor leader, expressed relief in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency that Wednesday’s joint measures appeared to have brought the situation under control.
He objected to the opposition party’s calls for an increase in the corporate tax rate, saying it would go against efforts to revive the slumping economy.
Others, however, raised the need to consider raising taxes in order to meet growing demand for public welfare.(Yonhap)
