Rep. Yu Kyung-jun, Former Head of Statistics Korea, Proposes 'Statistics Manipulation Prevention Act'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Yoo Kyung-jun, a member of the People Power Party and former head of Statistics Korea, proposed the "Statistics Manipulation Prevention Act" on the 3rd, which aims to elevate Statistics Korea from an external agency under the Ministry of Economy and Finance to a Statistics Data Office under the Prime Minister's Office and guarantee the term of the head of Statistics Korea to five years.

Yoo Kyung-joon, a member of the People Power Party, is speaking at a meeting on the GTX C Line private investment project held at the Gangnam-gu Community Center in Seoul on the 23rd, regarding the Eunma Apartment./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This law aims to elevate Statistics Korea, one of the external agencies under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to an independent "Statistics Data Office" under the Prime Minister's Office, and guarantee the term of the head of the elevated Statistics Data Office as a single five-year term. Additionally, the National Statistics Committee, which is currently under the Ministry of Economy and Finance with the minister serving as the chairperson, will be placed under the Prime Minister's Office with the Prime Minister serving as the chairperson.

Amid allegations that Statistics Korea engaged in illegal statistical manipulation under pressure from the Blue House during the Moon Jae-in administration, Representative Yoo explained that the purpose of the law is to fundamentally prevent "statistical manipulation." He said, "In the cases of the United States, Australia, and Canada, the heads of national statistical agencies are guaranteed terms of five years or more to ensure independence and neutrality," adding, "By elevating the office, we must guarantee independence and neutrality and prevent statistical manipulation tailored to the ruling party's preferences."