Human Resource Development Policies Previously Implemented Sporadically Now Overseen and Coordinated by the Minister of Education as Control Tower
Establishing a Policy Foundation for Talent Development to Respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Demographic Changes
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] On the 17th, Seo Dong-yong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Jeonnam Suncheon-si, Gwangyang-si, Gokseong-gun, Gurye-gun, and a member of the National Assembly Education Committee), introduced the 「Basic Act on Human Resources Development (hereinafter referred to as the Basic Act on Talent Development)」, a bill for the complete revision aimed at establishing a national-level control tower for talent development policy.
The Basic Act on Talent Development contains provisions to establish a comprehensive and systematic national control tower for talent development to proactively respond to the rapidly increasing uncertainties in the future due to the full-scale Fourth Industrial Revolution, demographic changes caused by low birth rates and aging population.
Seo Dong-yong, who raised the necessity of a control tower in this year’s National Assembly audit policy report 『Fourth Industrial Revolution, Demographic Changes, Evaluation and Alternatives of Korea’s Talent Development Policy』, explained the purpose of the bill, saying, “The acceleration of change is increasing across all social sectors, but there is virtually no national-level organization overseeing talent development to respond to this.”
Seo said, “During the Lee Myung-bak administration, the human resources development policy oversight function was nominal and ineffective. Although it was organized as the ‘People Investment and Talent Development Council’ under the Moon Jae-in administration, there were practical limitations in operation, including lack of legal basis,” emphasizing the need to establish a new talent development policy.
The amendment introduces a provision granting the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education the authority to oversee and coordinate national talent development tasks to resolve the issue of human resources development projects being executed sporadically by different ministries. It also includes expanding the National Human Resources Committee from 30 to 40 members and renaming it the Talent Development Committee. This reflects the increasing establishment of talent development policies by ministries and the need to add members for balanced regional talent cultivation.
Additionally, the amendment establishes the Deputy Prime Minister’s prior consultation rights on talent development projects included in the medium-term business plans submitted by heads of central administrative agencies to the Minister of Strategy and Finance. It also provides a legal basis for establishing a policy center for talent development policy research and analysis and for building a cooperative network to share talent-related policies and information.
Seo Dong-yong emphasized the expected effects, stating, “Through this amendment, the government will have an opportunity to comprehensively and systematically manage talent development policies that were previously operated sporadically.” He added, “It is anticipated that a social system for national future talent development will be smoothly established.”
Meanwhile, the full revision of the Basic Act on Talent Development was co-sponsored by members Kwon In-sook, Kim Jeong-ho, Kim Cheol-min, Do Jong-hwan, Park Chan-dae, Seo Sam-seok, Yoo Ki-hong, Yoon Jae-gap, and In Jae-geun.
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr
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