KDI's New President Jo Dong-chul: "No Bias Toward Specific Ideologies... Must Present Objective Policy Directions"

Inaugural Address

Jo Dong-chul, the newly appointed president of KDI, delivers his inaugural speech at KDI in Sejong City on the 2nd. (Photo by KDI)

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] Jo Dong-cheol, the new president of the Korea Development Institute (KDI), stated on the 2nd, "It is essential to present policy directions based on objective data and scientific analysis results without being swayed by any particular ideology."

In his inaugural speech at KDI in Sejong City, President Jo said, "At some point, ideological disputes between camps regarding economic and social policies have intensified in our society, making it difficult to form consensus through productive discussions." He added, "Let us actively provide rigorous analysis and sound policy directions on major economic and social policies to lead productive policy debates in our society and simultaneously enhance the status of KDI."

Addressing the members, President Jo emphasized, "Since KDI is an institution operated with the people's taxes, it is necessary to always reflect on what role the public expects from us. The primary role is to research the nation's economic and social policies and propose desirable policy directions."

Furthermore, he said, "The Graduate School of International Policy, Economic Information Center, Public Investment Management Center, and International Development Research Center should all reconsider the roles expected of them by taxpayers and contemplate how to inherit and develop these roles in line with changing times. In this process, let us also explore whether there are opportunities to create synergy among the institutions under the single umbrella of KDI."