The cost of the early presidential election due to the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol nears 500 billion won.

A survey revealed that the cost of the early presidential election, resulting from the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, is estimated to be close to 500 billion won.

According to a report received by Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, from the National Assembly Budget Policy Office on the 'Cost Estimate Survey for the 2025 Presidential By-election,' the total cost required for conducting the early election this year is 494.942 billion won.

Looking at the costs by category, it was reported that 325.84 billion won is needed for presidential election management, 18.925 billion won for overseas election management, 99.424 billion won for election reimbursement, and 50.789 billion won for party subsidies.

This represents an unexpected large-scale fiscal expenditure that requires securing a separate budget.

The National Assembly Budget Policy Office explained that this early presidential election is different from the situation during former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment.

The office noted, "In 2017, when President Park was impeached, it was the year that had an originally scheduled presidential election, so there were no separate by-election costs incurred," and "President Yoon was impeached two years ahead of the next scheduled election in 2027, resulting in unplanned expenditures."

In response, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, stated during the Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the 7th, "There is an estimate from the budget office that the cost for the presidential by-election due to Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment will amount to a staggering 494.942 billion won," and argued, "If the People Power Party has any sense of shame, they should not run a candidate in this election."

This early presidential election is due to the Constitutional Court's decision to impeach President Yoon, and the Election Commission has already begun preparations for the election.

An official from the Election Commission stated, "Although it is an unexpected election, we are taking all necessary measures to ensure a fair and transparent election," and it is reported that the financial authorities are considering ways to cover election costs through supplementary budgets.

Image Source: News1, Park Chan-dae, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party / News1, Former President Yoon Suk-yeol / News1