By Kim Tae-gyu
The Ministry of Future Planning and Science (MFPS) could be created soon after the ruling and opposition parties agreed to pass a government restructuring bill at the National Assembly, Wednesday.
The new ministry is a keystone of the restructuring intended to help realize a "creative economy," envisioned by President Park Geun-hye.
A minister and two vice-ministers will lead the mammoth organization to consist of around 800 officials, making it one of the largest ministries here.
The MFPS will take on government decision-making and oversight of developments in information communication technology (ICT) and science including research, telecom networks and broadcasting policies.
It will also take charge of new media such as cable channels and Internet and satellite television providers, which was the sticking point in a long bickering match between the ruling and opposition parties.
The governing Saenuri Party had claimed that these should come under control of the MFPS to facilitate cross-sector convergence. But the opposition was concerned that it would damage the neutrality of broadcasting.
The new ministry will also oversee a number of state-run agencies and funds.
The assigned mandates are in tandem with President Park's ambitions for a creative economy, which she regards as a flagship policy that will help create a number of new decent jobs.
In her inaugural address on Feb. 25, Park defined a creative economy as the convergence of science and technology with industry, a fusion of culture with industry and the blossoming of creativity across industry sector borders.
"At the very heart of a creative economy lie science technology and the IT industry, areas that I have earmarked as key priorities … The MFPS will be tasked to lead the emergence of a creative economy."
The Ministry of Future Planning and Science (MFPS) could be created soon after the ruling and opposition parties agreed to pass a government restructuring bill at the National Assembly, Wednesday.
The new ministry is a keystone of the restructuring intended to help realize a "creative economy," envisioned by President Park Geun-hye.
A minister and two vice-ministers will lead the mammoth organization to consist of around 800 officials, making it one of the largest ministries here.
The MFPS will take on government decision-making and oversight of developments in information communication technology (ICT) and science including research, telecom networks and broadcasting policies.
It will also take charge of new media such as cable channels and Internet and satellite television providers, which was the sticking point in a long bickering match between the ruling and opposition parties.
The governing Saenuri Party had claimed that these should come under control of the MFPS to facilitate cross-sector convergence. But the opposition was concerned that it would damage the neutrality of broadcasting.
The new ministry will also oversee a number of state-run agencies and funds.
The assigned mandates are in tandem with President Park's ambitions for a creative economy, which she regards as a flagship policy that will help create a number of new decent jobs.
In her inaugural address on Feb. 25, Park defined a creative economy as the convergence of science and technology with industry, a fusion of culture with industry and the blossoming of creativity across industry sector borders.
"At the very heart of a creative economy lie science technology and the IT industry, areas that I have earmarked as key priorities … The MFPS will be tasked to lead the emergence of a creative economy."
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