Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-keun held a policy meeting with former ministers of the Planning and Budget Ministry on September 30.
According to the Planning and Budget Ministry on October 1, the meeting was organized to hear from former ministers who served during the ministry’s existence from 1999 to 2008 and to gather their opinions on fiscal policies, structural reforms, and mid- to long-term strategies currently being pursued by the government. The session included former ministers Jin Nyum (the first minister), Park Bong-heum, Kim Byung-il, Byun Yang-gyun, and Jang Byung-wan, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Planning and Budget.
During the meeting, former ministers noted that while AI-driven transitions are accelerating, domestic and external uncertainties persist. They emphasized the need for innovation to lead change during such times. “Utilizing the surplus tax revenue from the semiconductor boom as a springboard for a Future Response Fund to unlock future growth is precisely the role of the Ministry of Planning and Budget,” they said, urging Minister Park to act as a ‘libero’ for government policies—coordinating beyond specific sectors or ministries for national development.
The former ministers also advised that the ministry should strengthen its planning functions, including structural reforms, to prepare for the future. They stressed that policy effectiveness is maximized when fiscal policies and structural reforms are pursued cohesively, urging balanced attention to both planning and budgeting.
In a conversation with this newspaper, former Minister Jin Nyum said, “The ministry should focus on establishing national development strategies rather than focusing solely on economic sectors.” He added, “The ministry must uphold the pride and responsibility of being the last bastion of national economy and fiscal management.” He cited the Kim Dae-jung administration era, when the Ministry of Education advocated for educational equalization, but the Planning and Budget Ministry redirected the policy toward strengthening excellence in education, stating, “The ministry should not merely allocate budgets but should deliberate within the broader framework of national governance and collaborate with other ministries.”
Former Minister Jang Byung-wan remarked, “The Planning and Budget Ministry has always been a body contemplating the nation’s direction, not just an economic ministry.” He added, “The recent reform of the education fiscal grant system feels like resolving a decades-old task.” He also noted, “In the past, public officials resigned due to wage gaps with the private sector, but nowadays, many leave due to lack of fulfillment. Creating an environment where capable officials can take pride in their work is essential.”
Minister Park stated, “This policy meeting with former ministers, the first since the ministry’s re-establishment, provided an opportunity to reflect on current policies.” He pledged to continue efforts to expand growth engines and address polarization based on the experiences and advice shared by the former ministers.
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