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President Lee Jae Myung on Monday urged lawmakers to pass the government's record 821 trillion won budget for 2027, calling for bipartisan support during a rare address to the National Assembly. The budget includes bold AI investment and defense spending, and Lee highlighted a proposed 162 trillion won ($120.5 billion) growth fund backed by additional tax revenue from the semiconductor boom, saying it would secure momentum for growth and ensure stable fiscal management. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea welcomed the speech, while the main opposition People Power Party criticized Lee for failing to address North Korea's threats and economic concerns, accusing his administration of excessive spending. KBS World reports the budget is around 613 billion U.S. dollars.