Seoul: Lee Hye-hoon, the nominee for head of the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget, convened a meeting with academics and researchers on Tuesday to gather policy recommendations on future fiscal directions, as reported by her confirmation hearing preparation team. The meeting included six experts specializing in fiscal management, such as Kang Byung-koo, an economics professor at Inha University, who shared insights on fiscal operations and policy challenges.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the experts reached a consensus that fiscal policy should assume a proactive role in alleviating public hardships during this structural economic transition period. Lee responded by acknowledging the unprecedented challenges facing both domestic and external conditions. She emphasized the need for fiscal policy to act as a catalyst to bolster economic recovery, enhance potential growth, and mitigate polarization.

Lee articulated her long-standing belief that fiscal policy must be utilized effectively when most needed. "It has been my consistent belief that fiscal policy must faithfully fulfill its role when it is most needed," she stated. This meeting occurs as Lee, a former three-term lawmaker from the conservative bloc, faces criticism from both ruling and opposition parties following her unexpected nomination by President Lee Jae Myung.

The opposition has called for Lee's resignation amid allegations of her husband's involvement in real estate speculation and accusations of her mistreatment of subordinates and an intern during her time as a lawmaker.