Regarding President Lee's golf controversy, Park Hong-geun said, "It is important to respond according to the manual."

Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-geun said on the 12th regarding the controversy that President Lee Jae-myung played golf during the Daegu shopping mall collapse, "It is not important whether he played golf on vacation or not, but whether he responded properly according to the manual in accordance with the golden time or not is more important."

Minister Park said in an MBC radio interview that day, “Isn’t it true that the President gave instructions after being immediately reported (on the accident situation)?”

He said, "It seems like 'Emperor's Golf' is inciting political strife through overly provocative expressions."

Regarding President Lee's recent posting of messages every day through social networking services (SNS), he said, "It is rather consistent," and added, "He used SNS a lot in the past when he was mayor of Seongnam, governor of Gyeonggi Province, and party leader."

Minister Park said, "(President Lee) seems to think that direct communication with the public has given him great energy in growing to where he is now," and "Even now (as in the past), although his approval rating is low, he seems to believe that communicating his sincerity and conveying his thoughts through direct communication with the people is effective in running the government."

Regarding the fact that some ruling party figures, including Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae, are at odds with President Lee, he said, "As the President emphasizes every day, there seems to be a political sphere and an administrative sphere."

He added, "In the end, as someone said, 'It is important for the ruling party to be faithful to its duties, the opposition party to be the opposition party, the Blue House to be the Blue House, and the media to be the media.'"

Regarding his being mentioned as a candidate for mayor of Seoul, Minister Park drew a line by saying, "It hasn't happened yet," and when the host asked again, "What would you do if given the opportunity?", he replied, "Who would turn it down if given the opportunity? But for now, I'm just focusing on my work."