The South Korean government is seeking to draw up a supplementary budget this month.
During a meeting between the ruling Democratic Party, government and presidential office on Tuesday, the three sides agreed on the need for the extra budget to address fine-dust pollution and provide support to the city of Pohang that was hit by an earthquake in 2017.
It would be the third extra budget of the Moon administration.
America's top diplomat has voiced hope the leaders of North Korea and U.S. will meet again soon to take a big step towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Mike Pompeo said it could happen in the coming months.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated that it is difficult to put a timeline on North Korea's denuclearization, explaining that talks with North Korea are often "one step forward, one step back."
He added the current sanctions imposed against North Korea could speed up the denuclearization timeline.
During an interview with a Pennsylvania radio station, which aired on Monday, Pompeo also indicated he was hopeful U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would meet again in the coming months.
Pompeo said it is in America's best interest to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Explaining that when such measures are taken, Pompeo said Pyeongyang would be able to enjoy a brighter future, something President Trump has highlighted numerous times.
The defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. held their first face-to-face meeting in Washington on Monday and reaffirmed their allies' defense posture on the Korean peninsula.
Washington's acting defense chief has hailed the recently-concluded Dong Maeng joint military exercise between South Korea and the U.S., as a big success, adding lessons were learned that could be applied in drills set for September.
Patrick Shanahan made the remarks after his meeting on Monday with visiting South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo at the Pentagon.
Jeong also said the drill was successful, adding it was an opportunity to test the eventual transfer of wartime operational control from the U.S. to South Korea.
Seoul's defense ministry also said the two allies agreed that the Comprehensive Military Agreement signed by the two Koreas last year has helped alleviate military tensions on the Korean peninsula and will continue to support efforts to carry out the inter-Korean agreement.
The Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint drill, usually held in August every year, is to be replaced by the Dong Maeng exercise planned for the later half of this year.
A senior official at South Korea's National Security Office has been holding talks on the upcoming Moon-Trump summit with his U.S. counterpart Charles Kupperman.
After wrapping up the meeting at the White House on Monday local time, Kim Hyun-chong, would not be drawn on what was discussed.
But it is likely they worked on the agenda for the April 11th summit.
Kim may have also sought ways to mediate between North Korea and the U.S. on denuclearization.
North Korea is demanding a step-by-step approach; the U.S; a full-package denuclearization deal.
Kim is expected to further discuss North Korea with members of Congress before leaving on Wednesday.
Source: Arirang News
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