Over 21 trillion won has been poured into the Park Geun-hye government’s creative economy initiative since President Park took office three years ago.
“The creative economy initiative turns out to be as pricy as the Lee Myung-bak government’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, which cost us 22 trillion won,” Rep. Jun Byung-hun of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) said on September 7.
According to the data Rep. Jun obtained from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the budget allocated for the creative economy initiative reached 21.56 trillion won in 3 years (2013-2015).
“Only three years into her presidency, President Park has seen her creative economy initiative get as expensive as the 22-trillion-won Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Since the creative economy initiative has yet to materialize, controversy could arise over whether it is worth that amount of money from public coffers,” Rep. Jun added.
The creative economy initiative has also failed to find favor with the public. According to a survey conducted by the National Assembly’s study group on economic democratization and welfare states, headed up by Rep. Jun, 61.2% of the respondents said the creative economy initiative bore no fruit.
“Three years into her presidency, the creative economy initiative turns out to be a huge money-guzzler. On top of that, the public’s high expectations are turning into disappointment. Addressing the problems of unnecessary regulations and social costs, the government should focus on protecting the freedom of imagination and expression,” Rep. Jun mentioned.
