Choi Sang-mok, acting president, vice prime minister and minister of economy and finance, holds a Cabinet meeting at Government Complex Seoul, Jan. 14. Yonhap

Acting President Choi Sang-mok on Tuesday demanded the National Assembly reconsider an opposition-led bill that seeks to extend government subsidies for free high school education, citing financial burdens it may place on the government.

Last month, parliament passed a revision to the Local Education Subsidy Act, which proposes a three-year extension of temporary government funding for free high school education, continuing through 2027.

"The nation's financial situation is extremely strained. It is time to save taxpayers' money wherever possible and focus our fiscal resources on revitalizing the economy," Choi said while presiding over a Cabinet meeting.

South Korea provides free education to all elementary and middle school students, while it has been providing free education for high school students temporarily for five years since 2019.

Choi further clarified the government is not rejecting support for free education, but that it is asking for bipartisan agreement to develop better policy alternatives.

Typically, motions like these are approved during Cabinet meetings chaired by the prime minister and sent to the president for endorsement before being returned to the National Assembly for a revote. Choi has been serving in the interim leadership role since late last month when the opposition-led parliament voted to impeach then acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Choi, who also serves as deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister, previously vetoed two special counsel bills related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid and allegations surrounding the first lady. (Yonhap)