Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning-nominee Choi Mun-kee came under fire over the concept of creative economy policy and allegations of real estate speculation during his parliamentary confirmation hearing on Monday.

Creative economy is President Park Geun-hye’s economic development model that aims to create jobs and promote economic growth through technological innovation and venture investment.

In response to Democratic United Party lawmakers’ questions about the meaning of the economic model, Choi answered that its aim is to “transform the economy from a follower model to that of a leader,” inciting criticism for being vague.

“The nominee’s answer is truly hollow. It is like saying that coming in first is the answer to a question about how to win a race,” Rep. Jun Byung-hun of the said. 

Similar sentiments were echoed by other DUP lawmakers who berated Choi’s answer as being “below standard.”

Choi also faced criticism from lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party for lacking more concrete ideas about the role of the Science Ministry in creative economy.

“The nominee also mentioned that convergence is the core of creative economy, and one of the most important (areas for) convergence is broadcasting and telecommunications. But the nominee appears to be lacking in thought (regarding the issue),” Rep. Nam Kyung-pil of the ruling Saenuri Party said, pointing out the lack of reference to broadcasting issues in Choi’s opening remarks.

Nam went on to question Choi about outstanding broadcasting-related issues, to which the science minister nominee failed to provide clear answers, prompting Nam to comment that he appeared to lack clear “principles and philosophy” about such issues.

Monday’s hearing also focused on allegations of wrongdoings ranging from giving preferential treatment to companies he has ties to, and real estate speculation.

Rep. Noh Woong-rae alleged that Choi gave the IT company WarePlus Inc. preferential treatment in winning research contracts issued by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. According to Noh, the company won seven contracts from ETRI in the years leading up to 2009. Choi served as the chief of ETRI between 2007 and 2009, and served as an auditor of the company between 2002 and 2006.

DUP’s Rep. Choi Min-hee raised suspicions about developments that occurred while Choi was serving as the chair of a state-fund for promoting the IT industry.

According to Choi Min-hee, the science minister nominee approved loans of nearly 2 billion won ($1.8 million) to five companies he had stakes in.

It was alleged that Choi purchased large amount of land in an area designated for development before the plans were publicized.

Regarding his plans for promoting creative economy, Choi said that he plans to establish a policy negotiation body among science- and broadcasting-related ministries saying, “for creative economy to bear fruit, walls between and within ministries need to be removed.”

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)