S. Korea to run fiscal deficit in 2014 for stimulus

by **Cals** Thu 26 Sep 2013, 17:29

Published: Thursday September 26, 2013 MYT 12:20:00 PM
Updated: Thursday September 26, 2013 MYT 12:24:35 PM
S. Korea to run fiscal deficit in 2014 for stimulus

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SEOUL: The South Korean government said Thursday it would run a fiscal deficit next year to help boost the economy, despite concerns over growing government debts.

The Finance Ministry said it wanted to increase government spending by 4.6% next year to 357.7 trillion won (US$332bil).

The budget proposal for 2014, endorsed by the cabinet in a meeting Thursday, will be submitted to parliament by Wednesday. The requested increase is lower than a 5.1% rise in the 2013 budget.

But it comes as next year's government revenue is expected to fall 0.5% from 2013, its first decline in four years. The government would consequently run a fiscal deficit of 1.8% of the gross domestic product next year.

The ministry had planned to run a fiscal deficit of 0.3% for the year – but later decided to widen it to 1.8% with an increased budget for economic stimulus. Overall sovereign debt will grow to 36.5% of GDP next year, up from this year's 36.2%.

Finance Minister Hyun Oh-Seok told journalists the ministry had put more emphasis on stimulating the economy rather than reducing fiscal deficits.
Under the budget request, welfare spending including health and employment is up 8.7% to 105.9 trillion won. Defence spending is up 4.2% to 35.8 trillion won, including expenditure to buy satellites, spy drones and missiles used for defence against North Korean missiles – AFP