[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung announced that the government will utilize the Future Response Fund, created from additional tax revenue generated by the semiconductor boom, as a source for strategic investment. The government has signaled a record-high total expenditure exceeding 800 trillion won for next year.

Reporter Park Yerim has the story.

[Reporter]

Presiding over the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting, President Lee Jae-myung officially announced the establishment of a Future Response Fund, stating that the large-scale additional tax revenue expected from the semiconductor boom would be used as a source for strategic investment.

[President Lee Jae-myung: By establishing the Future Response Fund, we will concentrate investments in four key areas that will determine the nation's future: the future, youth, local regions, and education...]

He also promised intensive government support for the three major mega-projects: semiconductors, AI data centers, and physical AI.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Stable supply of power and water is fundamental, and by establishing living conditions and innovation infrastructure, we will create new growth hubs for the Republic of Korea.]

Park Hong-keun, Minister of Planning and Budget, stated at the meeting that national tax revenue for next year is expected to exceed 500 trillion won, surpassing the initial forecast of 412 trillion won, marking the largest tax revenue in history. He also presented the direction for next year's fiscal management, including the compilation of a record-high total expenditure.

[Park Hong-keun, Minister of Planning and Budget: We will compile the total expenditure for 2027 at over 800 trillion won plus alpha, an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the 2026 main budget, which is the largest scale in history.]

The meeting also included discussions on power supply plans for semiconductor complexes and AI data centers. Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, announced that the government would decide on the introduction of new nuclear power plants and small modular reactors after gathering public opinion, and reflect this in the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, officially signaling a review of additional nuclear power plants.

Meanwhile, upon hearing that residential electricity rates are cheaper than industrial rates, President Lee suggested a policy discussion that considers the burden on the public, stating, "If there is no burden on inflation, we are in a situation where we should adjust residential electricity rates."

(Video reporting: Jung Sang-bo, Yoon Hyung | Video editing: Park Sun-soo)