Prime Minister Jeong: "Strictly Punish Public Officials' Complacency... Continuously Present Regulatory Innovation Tasks"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering opening remarks at the Government Policy Coordination Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 20th, "The government, together with the Board of Audit and Inspection, will certainly give preferential treatment to diligent public officials, while strictly punishing complacency."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung presided over the Government Seoul Office’s National Affairs Inspection and Coordination Meeting and said, "I hope all heads of public sector institutions take responsibility and lead changes in employees' awareness and attitudes."

On the 18th, Prime Minister Chung met with Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung to discuss the 'Activation of Proactive Administration.' At the meeting, Chairman Choi emphasized, "We will create an environment where public officials can work confidently without the burden of audits."

Regarding the meeting agenda on 'Regional Livelihood Regulation Innovation Measures,' Prime Minister Chung explained, "Regulatory innovation is the best way to empower citizens and entrepreneurs without large budgets," adding, "The regional livelihood regulation innovation measures aim to reduce the business burden on small merchants and resolve difficulties faced by local residents."

He further urged, "Please continuously identify new regulatory innovation tasks and propose solutions," emphasizing, "Measures should not end as mere policies but must be felt as changes in everyday life."

The meeting also discussed the 'Smart Export-Import Logistics Plan.' Prime Minister Chung noted, "With the surge in online transactions, global logistics companies and advanced countries are advancing logistics systems using big data and artificial intelligence (AI). For us, with high trade dependence, innovating the export-import logistics system is a task that determines future national competitiveness, and especially, maritime logistics, which accounts for 99.7% of exports, requires urgent proactive changes."

He continued, "The government will boldly support the intelligence and automation of ships and ports," and expressed, "We will build a new logistics system that organically connects port logistics with railroads, covering both land and sea."

Additionally, he stressed, "To smarten the logistics system, data must be shared and utilized together," and requested, "Please treat export-import logistics as a key sector in the follow-up process of the three data laws: the Personal Information Protection Act, the Credit Information Act, and the Information and Communications Network Act."

Regarding the 'Measures to Strengthen Traffic Safety for Freight Vehicles,' he said, "The fatality rate in accidents involving freight vehicles is more than twice that of passenger cars," and called for "urgent special measures. Enforcement should be significantly strengthened, and transportation operators should actively participate in traffic safety measures."