The new government to be led by Park Geun-hye is likely to be bigger with a renewed focus on science and technology, reflecting the president-elect’s vision for a creativity and innovation-driven economy.

“The soon-to-be formed presidential transition team will get down to the business of reorganizing the central government structure,” Rep. Lee Hahn-koo, the floor leader of Park’s Saenuri Party, said Friday. “I expect a blueprint to be out in January, for it to be able to pass through the parliament in mid-January.”

Park, during her campaign, has pledged to revive the science and maritime affairs ministries. The two are among the three ministries and two agencies that outgoing President Lee Myung-bak abolished in 2007 as part of his push for a smaller government.

The other ministry that disappeared with the beginning of the Lee administration was the information and communication ministry.

Park has said she would “positively consider” establishing a new body that will cover the entire ecosystem of the ICT industry, encompassing contents, platforms, networks and devices.

“The envisioned ICT body may or may not take the form of a ministry. The presidential transition committee will study thoroughly which is better,” another Saenuri official said.

An engineering graduate, Park has laid out a vision for “creative economy” stressing that the country must find a new engine for economic growth in creativity, science and technology.

Under her vision, the science ministry, tentatively named the “creative science ministry,” is to assume a much bigger role than just coordinating R&D policies.

Currently, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is in charge of R&D policies, while support of future industries is under the supervision of the Knowledge Economy Ministry.

Maritime affairs are split between the bodies ― the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

Meanwhile, Rep. Lee also said the ruling Saenuri Party will add 6 trillion won to next year’s budget to finance Park’s key campaign pledges relating to the people’s livelihood.

He said the party will consider issuing new state bonds to secure the additional funds, if necessary, and even if it means a fiscal deficit next year.

Of the 6 trillion won, 1.7 trillion won is to bankroll Park’s new welfare programs for low-income earners, seniors and to support childcare while the remaining 4.3 trillion won is to support small- and medium-sized enterprises and small proprietors and to prop up the housing market.

The National Assembly’s budget committee on Friday resumed deliberation of the 2013 budget bill, which has set the total governmental spending at 342.5 trillion won.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)