Three-Day Ministry-by-Ministry Briefings from the 18th to the 20th
"Failed to Properly Reflect the President's Pledges; Reports Are Inadequate"
Formation of 'Tax and Fiscal System Reform Task Force' and 'Regulatory Reform Task Force'
Briefings from the Financial Services Commission, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 19th
Cho Seungrae, spokesperson for the National Policy Planning Committee, which is serving as the transition committee for the Lee Jaemyung administration, stated on the 19th, "The ministry-by-ministry briefings are, in a word, very disappointing," and added, "We will request all ministries to submit their reports again."
The National Policy Planning Committee has been staying in Sejong from the 18th to the 20th, receiving briefings from each ministry over three days. On the first day, the Economic Division 1, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Economic Division 2, which includes the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, delivered their reports. On the second day, which is today, briefings are scheduled from the Financial Services Commission, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Spokesperson Cho said, "Chairman Lee Hanju of the National Policy Planning Committee pointed this out yesterday as well, but after reviewing the briefings, we found that there was a lack of content that properly analyzed and reflected President Lee Jaemyung's pledges, and the reports merely listed outdated tasks," adding, "They failed to establish a concrete vision suitable for the new administration." He further commented, "This is a scene that vividly shows how the public sector has experienced confusion and collapse during the three years of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, the period of martial law, and the six months of insurrection."
He added, "Although the briefings will continue until tomorrow, I do not expect the situation to change significantly," and continued, "Over these three days, the National Policy Planning Committee will ensure that the issues raised and suggestions made to each ministry are reflected, so that the new government's vision and philosophy can be thoroughly considered, and ministry-by-ministry briefings can be conducted again."
Sejong, Day 1... Ministry of Economy and Finance discusses fiscal sustainability; Ministry of National Defense discusses counterintelligence command restructuring
Specifically, he criticized the Ministry of Economy and Finance's briefing, which was delivered in Economic Division 1 on the 18th, as inadequate. Spokesperson Cho said, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance needs to develop measures to ensure the accuracy of tax revenue forecasts and the sustainability of public finances," adding, "There is also a need for a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to the management of public institutions." He emphasized, "Policy responses are needed on how to reverse the decline in potential growth rate and how to improve the productivity of the Korean economy."
He further added, "There was also a suggestion to establish a task force (TF) to address how to raise the potential growth rate." In the case of the National Tax Service, discussions were held on building systems for an artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, and he noted that more consideration is needed on how AI can be applied to their operations.
In Economic Division 2, the Ministry of Science and ICT reported on concrete implementation plans for making Korea one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, as well as on the 100 trillion won investment in AI. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups discussed new industries, while the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family addressed gender equality and multicultural family issues. The Ministry of Health and Welfare discussed medical expenses, integrated care, suicide prevention, and income security systems.
In Social Division 2, the Ministry of Education's briefing included plans for elementary and secondary AI education and the "Creating 10 Seoul National Universities" project. In the Political and Administrative Affairs Division, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's report covered the Basic Law on Life Safety, the abolition of the Police Bureau, and measures to strengthen local finances. In the Foreign Affairs and Security Division, the Ministry of National Defense's briefing included ways to maintain overwhelming military power, strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and advance defense reforms.
Spokesperson Cho noted, "In particular, there was consensus with the Ministry of National Defense regarding the restructuring of the Counterintelligence Command," and added, "There were also detailed discussions about democratically controlling martial law authority and about the Martial Law Act."
National Policy Planning Committee forms 'Tax and Fiscal System Reform Task Force'
Meanwhile, the National Policy Planning Committee formed a "Tax and Fiscal System Reform Task Force" on this day. Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Taeho was appointed as the team leader, and committee members Ahn Dogeol, Oh Gihyung, and Kim Namhee joined as members of the task force. The committee also decided to form a "Regulatory Reform Task Force" and is currently discussing the team composition.
The committee is also accelerating discussions on government organizational restructuring. Spokesperson Cho said, "A task force has already been formed and begun activities regarding organizational restructuring, and we are working to reach a conclusion on restructuring plans and details as quickly as possible." Regarding concerns that some ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Financial Services Commission, and the Financial Supervisory Service are confused about the restructuring, he stated, "There are claims that the Ministry of Economy and Finance is essentially engaging in work slowdowns because they are uncertain about their future, but receiving a government salary does not mean that one's job disappears because of organizational restructuring," adding, "I cannot understand why they are anxious. Not being able to work because of this is an unacceptable excuse."
Regarding the matters discussed after the formation of the Organizational Restructuring Task Force, he said, "This morning, we began collecting various demands for organizational restructuring, and we will continue to organize them for the time being," adding, "Organizational restructuring is not simply about attaching or detaching functions, but about identifying where the needs of the times lie, and administrative demands will be reflected according to those needs."
In response to concerns that newly appointed ministers and vice ministers after the national policy report may find it difficult to present their own vision, he dismissed them by saying, "(For ministers and vice ministers,) the basic responsibility is to effectively implement national policy tasks, and as long as they lead their ministries in a way that communicates with the public and increases public benefit, there should be no conflict at all." Finally, regarding the plan to request ministry-by-ministry briefings again, spokesperson Cho said, "It is difficult to even describe the level of content as a five-year planning document for the new government," and added, "We will discuss and proceed with the format and method of the briefings."
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