Prime Minister Kim: "Agencies with Poor Government Performance Evaluations Should Use It as an Opportunity for Self-Reflection"

The 5th Cabinet Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over a Cabinet meeting held via video connection with Seoul at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 25th. January 25, 2022. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum commented on the '2021 Government Performance Evaluation Results' announced on the 25th, saying, "For what has been done well, please ensure that the achievements continue, and for the parts that were insufficient or not done but should have been, please organize and supplement them so that the next government can build on these achievements." He added, "Institutions with poor performance should take this as an opportunity for self-reflection and renew their determination."

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Kim chaired the Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong and said, "This is the last government performance evaluation of the Moon Jae-in administration, and it is significant in that it calmly reviews what the policy achievements have been, what shortcomings exist, and what areas need to be supplemented going forward." He also expressed his gratitude to public officials, saying, "I am well aware that despite difficult conditions last year, all ministries worked hard to produce national achievements."

The 'Special Measures Act on Strengthening and Protecting the Competitiveness of National Advanced Strategic Industries,' which passed the National Assembly on the 11th, was promulgated immediately after the Cabinet meeting on this day. Regarding this, Prime Minister Kim said, "I am also well aware that the support for workforce training, which was requested by the industry, was excluded and the scale of tax credits was reduced, leading to some criticism that it is somewhat insufficient." He added, "We have just taken the first step, and there is still a long way to go." He continued, "As global competition among countries to foster advanced technology industries intensifies, we will not leave the protection and nurturing of strategic industries and advanced technologies solely to individual companies." He emphasized, "With the enactment of this special law, the government will focus on supporting national advanced strategic industries and strengthen protective measures to prevent the overseas outflow of specialized personnel."

Meanwhile, regarding the amendments to the 'Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Low Birthrate and Aging Society' and the 'Enforcement Decree of the Child Allowance Act' submitted to the Cabinet meeting on the same day, Prime Minister Kim said, "All children born after January 1 of this year will be eligible to receive a 2 million won First Meeting Use Voucher, and a certain amount of infant allowance will be provided until they turn two years old." He added, "Although it may not be sufficient, I hope it will be of some help to those who want to have and raise children."