Prime Minister Jeong and Auditor General Hold First Solo Meeting to Promote Active Administration

Prime Minister Jeong: "No to Passive Administration, Proactive Administration Must Take Root in the Public Service"
Board of Audit Chairman: "We Must Create an Atmosphere Where People Work Confidently Without Burden from Audits"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] "It is not that the public service cannot engage in proactive administration because of audits; rather, we must make it so that proactive administration is carried out precisely because of audits." - Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun

"We will create an atmosphere where public officials can work confidently without the burden of audits." - Chairman Choi Jae-hyung of the Board of Audit and Inspection

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Chairman Choi Jae-hyung of the Board of Audit and Inspection held a luncheon meeting on the 18th at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Seoul. This meeting was proposed by the Prime Minister to discuss ways to revitalize proactive administration in the public sector, and Chairman Choi responded positively, leading to the meeting.

This is the first time the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection have held a one-on-one meeting to discuss a single topic. This indicates that both the Cabinet and the Board of Audit and Inspection share the recognition of the importance of proactive administration in the public sector.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Chung and Chairman Choi discussed various measures for proactive administration, and especially agreed that audits should no longer be an obstacle to proactive administration but rather serve as a catalyst for it.

Prime Minister Chung said, "It is not that the public service cannot engage in proactive administration because of audits; rather, we must make it so that proactive administration is carried out precisely because of audits."

He added, "Since coming to the government, I have seen many public officials practicing proactive administration," and proposed, "Let us join forces so that the message 'Do not worry about proactive administration, prepare for passive administration' takes root throughout the public sector."

Chairman Choi responded, "The Board of Audit and Inspection will create an atmosphere where public officials can work confidently without the burden of audits," and expressed hope that "audits will be perceived not as a burden but as support for proactive administration, leading to a revolutionary change in the public sector."

He continued, "To ensure that no one refrains from proactive administration due to the burden of post-audit, we will further develop the pre-consultation system introduced last year. Especially this year, with pride and a sense of mission that if the Board of Audit and Inspection changes first, the public sector will change, and if the public sector changes, the future of the country can change, all staff will strive to change the negative perception of audits."

In response, Prime Minister Chung mentioned, "According to surveys, the burden of audits is considerable, but thanks to the Chairman’s leadership in encouraging proactive administration over the past two years, many changes have been made."

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, proactive administration that solves on-site problems more purposefully and flexibly plays an important role," and added, "The proactive administration that sprouted across the government last year will provide real vitality to the public sector and be felt by the people and businesses. The Board of Audit and Inspection and the government will move forward together like the two wheels of a cart."

Although previous administrations also emphasized proactive administration, there were shortcomings in achieving substantial changes and tangible results in the public sector.

The Moon Jae-in administration has been promoting proactive administration as a key axis of state affairs with the goal of changing the paradigm of the public sector. President Moon Jae-in also instructed last year to encourage proactive administration and discipline passive administration.

The government, centered on the Prime Minister’s Office, announced a comprehensive plan for proactive administration in March last year, and has been improving laws and systems, boosting public sector enthusiasm, and strengthening public-private cooperation. This year, the second year of full-scale promotion, all means will be mobilized to establish the system, bring about on-site changes, and ensure that the public and businesses feel the effects.

First, during audits, the focus will be on supporting and inducing proactive administration rather than finding violations, thereby preventing passive administration. The Board of Audit and Inspection plans to conduct audits next month to discover exemplary cases of proactive administration, and the government also plans to actively identify proactive administration cases through internal audits.

Additionally, the Board of Audit and Inspection will significantly expand on-site exemption decisions during audits. The Prime Minister’s Office will also expand on-site exemptions during internal audits and review exempted cases to link outstanding cases to awards and encouragement.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Board of Audit and Inspection plan to focus on inspecting passive administration, such as failure to perform or delaying necessary tasks during regular institutional audits.