Minister Park Hong-geun of the Ministry of Planning and Budget said on the 8th that there also seemed to be "some unfairness" regarding Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, who faces allegations of influence-peddling over approval of a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial.
Minister Park appeared on YTN Radio's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myeongdang" on the morning of the same day and said, "Representative Han Dong-hoon said this was a case in which an investigation began when he was Minister of Justice," adding, "It was a matter in which an indictment suspension was decided during Shim Woo-jung's term as prosecutor general."
He then said, "I don't know where Representative Han obtained the materials, but he keeps using them to raise issues," and asked, "Didn't the nominee Kim himself express regret that what was wrong in the process of conveying the petition was inappropriate?"
On nominee Yong Hye-in for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, he said, "I know her well, and she is one of the juniors I value," adding, "I think public opinion is moving more strongly that excessive ambition or overreach runs somewhat counter to the public's sense of sentiment, fairness, and equity."
He added, "I think there is a need to reflect on whether her own position and stance left nothing to be desired."
Regarding next year's budget, Minister Park said, "A Critical opportunity has come for us to take the lead in the industry restructuring based on semiconductors and AI (artificial intelligence)," adding, "This is the time for bold and swift investment."
On revenue prospects after the semiconductor boom ends, he answered, "At minimum, I believe next year's revenue outlook will roughly align, following this year. I think things will be fine through the year after next," adding, "How long the cycle of the subsequent three to five years lasts will depend on the semiconductor market."
Minister Park, referring to the Future Response Fund to be established at over 160 trillion won, said, "It is created by law," adding, "It is by no means the government's petty cash."
He also said the Future Response Fund "will submit its fund management plan to the National Assembly just like a general budget, like accounting, or like other funds," adding, "Changes must be made only within the 20% to 30% range, and you cannot suddenly design a new project that has not been reviewed in advance by the National Assembly and change the fund."