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Park Hong-keun Takes Office as First Planning and Budget Minister

His arrival restores leadership at the new fiscal ministry after a months-long vacancy.

Overview

  • Park assumed control of the newly created Ministry of Planning and Budget after the National Assembly committee approved his confirmation report one day earlier.
  • In his inauguration remarks, he called for a “true control tower” for fiscal policy and said the government will prepare a supplementary budget to ease household costs linked to higher oil prices from the Middle East conflict.
  • The ruling Democratic Party said it plans to pass the extra budget next month following President Lee Jae Myung’s instruction to move fast.
  • Lawmakers from both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party praised his budgeting record during the hearing, and his asset disclosure listed about 623 million won across his family.
  • The appointment follows the January launch of the ministry after the government split the Economy and Finance portfolio and the withdrawal of a previous nominee over alleged misconduct.