The National Planning Commission confirmed on the 16th that it invited former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo to give a special lecture on the topic of 'active fiscal role'. Former Speaker Kim served as the Chairperson of the National Planning Advisory Committee during the vacant period of the presidential transition committee, which was established during the start of the Moon Jae-in government in 2017, creating a blueprint for governance. At that time, the government was launched shortly after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, which led to an early presidential election. The Lee Jae-myung government, which was also established without a transition committee, is in a similar situation.
According to a report from ChosunBiz, former Speaker Kim gave a closed special lecture of about 30 minutes on that day at the annex of the Government Seoul Complex in Changseong-dong for members of the advisory committee. This event was made possible when former Speaker Kim accepted the advisory committee's proposal for a lecture. He is known as a veteran bureaucrat who has served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, a leading economist of the progressive camp, and a veteran politician with a light factional color.
At this event, former Speaker Kim shared his experience of having essentially led the transition committee eight years ago, urging, "We must not fall into the dogma of balanced finance. Now is the time to unleash finances." He said, "It is important to spend money 'appropriately and effectively.' That can influence the success or failure of governance," adding, "The key is to lead the virtuous cycle of the economy." He also noted, "The belief that government debt will collapse once it exceeds 50% is dogma," emphasizing, "Due to such concerns, we must not reduce investment in education and key research and development."
He also repeatedly advised to minimize the activity period of the National Planning Commission and to unify messaging to the media. Since the National Planning Commission is responsible for organizing campaign promises as well as the initial restructuring of the government departments, this indicates the need for 'caution in remarks'. He then said, "For the time being, we must proceed in the manner of 'Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Fri-Fri'. Right now, that is the best option, and there is no choice but to shorten the timeline."
The 'black cat, white cat theory' mentioned by President Lee Jae-myung since his time as party leader was also brought up. This means that according to the pragmatic approach, active adoption of policies from the previous Yoon Suk-yeol government and campaign promises from the People Power Party is encouraged. The first general meeting after the special lecture was held on the theme of 'recovery and growth.'
Chairperson Lee Han-joo also accepted a significant portion of former Speaker Kim's lecture content. In his opening remarks at the general meeting on that day, he said, "I cannot tell you 'Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-Fri-Fri-Fri,' but it will be unavoidable in the subcommittees." He added, "We must now start anew, three years delayed from what should have been done in the previous government."