[Exclusive] Sejong Buzzing Before Presidential Election... New Government Begins Organizational Restructuring Study

Ministry of the Interior and Safety Commissioned 'Policy Research on Major National Government Organization Functions' Last Month
Individual Ministries Likely to Accelerate Organizational Restructuring
Focus on Establishing Ministry of Climate Energy, Ministry of Population, and Ministry of Youth

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] With the presidential election just six months away, the Sejong government offices have begun full-scale preparations to respond to the next administration's organizational restructuring. This is interpreted as measures to address the establishment of new ministries, organizational separations, and elevation of ministries to ministerial-level departments following the launch of the new government. As the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which is responsible for personnel and organization of central ministries, takes the lead in a central government-level response, individual ministries are also expected to establish their own plans.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and the Public Procurement Service on the 3rd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety commissioned a policy research project titled "Survey on the Organizational Functions and Personnel Status of Major National Governments" on the 26th of last month. A government official stated, "Typically, before a presidential election, there is a review of organizational diagnosis and maintenance across all ministries," adding, "Each ministry is also beginning preparations for organizational restructuring." The research budget is 50 million KRW, with a research period of three months, ending on December 30. At least three months before the election, the outline must be finalized to establish follow-up plans.

This research focuses on understanding global trends to effectively respond to rapidly changing domestic and international administrative environments. Recently, as the world has been paying attention to agendas such as population, climate, and environment, corresponding countermeasures must also be prepared. Specifically, the study will investigate the organizational composition and operation status of 38 governments within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), classify detailed functions by central ministries, and research personnel in subordinate units such as bureaus, offices, and divisions by function. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety also conducted a similar study in 2015 titled "Future-Oriented Government Organization Design Direction and Comparative Study of Functions Between Countries."

Individual ministries have also begun proactive responses. Four ministries?the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and Financial Services Commission?have decided to establish organizations dedicated to youth policies.

Central Government Officials 'Debate'... Prospects for Establishing a Ministry of Climate and Energy and Splitting the Ministry of Strategy and Finance

Debates continue among government officials as well. Since Lee Jae-myung, the leading candidate from the ruling party and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has pledged to establish a Ministry of Climate and Energy, an organizational restructuring that separates energy functions from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to create the Ministry of Climate and Energy is anticipated. Considering that the Ministry of Strategy and Finance was consistently criticized for fiscal stability during the universal disaster relief fund debate, there is also a high possibility of splitting the organization in a manner similar to the former Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Budget Office.

There are also expectations that new ministries related to youth and population will be created. Additionally, assuming the continuation of the with-COVID-19 situation, there is speculation about the further elevation of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. A government official said, "We are preparing while reviewing the policy pledges of presidential candidates," adding, "Most ministries are worried about their size shrinking."

Meanwhile, regarding the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, which suffers from severe personnel stagnation, there are also opinions that splitting it would not be a bad idea. A Ministry of Strategy and Finance official said, "If the organization is divided, promotions could be faster," adding, "The structure is too blocked at the top, so splitting might be better for the juniors."