Seoul: Budget Minister nominee Rep. Park Hong-keun, a seasoned four-term lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party (DP), has been nominated to head the Ministry of Planning and Budget. Park's extensive experience with budgetary issues in parliament has made him a prominent figure in this selection.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Park was first elected to parliament in 2012 and has played a significant role as a senior member and chairman of the parliamentary special committee on budgets and accounts. His nomination as the inaugural minister highlights his long-standing expertise and involvement in budget management.
Park is also noted for his close relationship with President Lee Jae Myung, having served as the Democratic Party's floor leader in 2022 and 2023 during Lee's leadership. In this capacity, Park was instrumental in overseeing budget negotiations and shaping the party's legislative strategies.
Following President Lee's assumption of office in a snap election last year, Park led a planning subcommittee of the State Affairs Planning Committee, which functioned as the new administration's transition team. Park's political career began in 2007 as a spokesperson for the liberal Grand Unified Democratic New Party, and he is an alumnus of Kyung Hee University in Seoul.