Yoon Initiates Breaking Down Barriers Between Ministries... Changes New Year Work Reports by Topic

Speedy Project Execution and Strengthened Collaboration

President Yoon Suk-yeol will change the New Year's work report format from reporting achievements and tasks by individual ministries to a ministry-integrated approach that addresses national policy tasks.

This change is due to the need for discussions with relevant ministries to promote pressing issues such as labor, education, pension, and medical reforms, as well as the livelihood economy and population problems, in a thorough yet swift manner.

According to the Presidential Office on the 27th, President Yoon plans to conduct the New Year's work report by grouping about ten issues, including low birthrate and medical crises, by theme for ministries to discuss together.

Previously, President Yoon had received one-on-one work reports from ministers in July last year, but during the 2023 New Year's work report held at the end of last year and early this year, he changed the format to include ministry-level officials and experts to increase public engagement.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, judging that this approach had limitations in removing barriers between ministries and slowed policy implementation speed, the format was changed to an integrated ministry report.

At the Cabinet meeting he presided over the day before, President Yoon emphasized, "We must boldly break down the barriers between ministries and strengthen cooperation centered on tasks," adding, "We will greatly expand personnel exchanges between ministries to break down walls and strengthen cooperation, providing institutional support."

For example, the work report on the low birthrate issue will be attended by heads of relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee. In this case, population, family, and welfare experts, as well as policy stakeholders, may also participate to discuss policies in a 'town hall' style.

It is known that the schedule for next year's New Year's work report has been somewhat adjusted to prepare for the format change. The 2023 work reports started with the Ministry of Economy and Finance on December 21 last year and continued into early this year.

Minister-level work reports by individual ministries are expected to proceed as usual, considering that focusing only on major issues might overlook important matters.