Park Hong-keun, minister of planning and budget [Ministry of Planning and Budget]
Park Hong-keun, minister of planning and budget [Ministry of Planning and Budget]

Park Hong-keun, minister of planning and budget, has called for a final review of major policies, including next year's budget proposal and a support package for younger generations.

The ministry plans to put together a comprehensive support package for young people covering education, employment, assets, housing, childbirth and parenting — and to address what is known as the "marriage penalty," a phenomenon in which young people who marry are disadvantaged under government policies.

The Ministry of Planning and Budget held its 8th expanded senior staff meeting Tuesday at Government Complex Sejong, chaired by Park.

"August is an important moment to present to the public the tasks we have been working on so intensely," Park said at the meeting, urging staff to sharpen the quality of key pending work.

With the drafting of next year's budget proposal and the 2026–2030 national fiscal management plan entering their final stages, Park called on officials to conduct a thorough last-minute review to ensure that the policies and projects under consideration translate into results the public can feel. He also stressed the need to communicate those policies clearly and at a level accessible to ordinary citizens.

Comprehensive youth support for education, jobs, assets and housing — 'marriage penalty' also in the crosshairs

A package of measures targeting younger generations was also highlighted as a key area for review.

"Young people are structurally vulnerable members of our society, and they need close support across education, employment, assets, housing, childbirth and parenting," Park said.

He urged officials to ensure that government policies do not discourage young people from getting married, calling for action to eliminate the "marriage penalty." The intent is to examine whether any government support programs or policies place married young people at a disadvantage compared to their unmarried peers, and to develop remedies where such factors are found.

Park also ordered preparations for the regular National Assembly session in September, directing officials to maintain close communication with the Assembly and push for swift introduction of priority bills, including the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act and a voluntary carbon market bill.

Workplace culture overhaul targets gapjil, unnecessary travel — Ulchi CPX response also reviewed

Park renewed his call for improvements to workplace culture, directing the ministry to start with immediately actionable steps — including anti-gapjil education, standardizing report formats and minimizing business travel — and to have each responsible department rigorously monitor compliance.

He also called for a reduction in unnecessary work so that employees have adequate time to recharge. The ministry has been pursuing efficiency improvements and the elimination of unnecessary practices as part of its broader workplace culture reform effort.

With the Ulchi CPX scheduled for the third week of this month, Park urged staff to treat the exercise — the ministry's first since its launch — as a practical opportunity to review emergency response systems and clarify each unit's role.


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