AI and National Balanced Development Special Committee Established
'Everyone's Square' Bus Tour Begins
The National Policy Planning Committee is accelerating discussions on the government reorganization plan.
Hanju Lee, chairman of the National Policy Planning Committee, is speaking at the 3rd plenary meeting held on the 30th at the National Policy Planning Committee in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps. Yonhap News Agency
On the 30th, at the plenary meeting of the National Policy Planning Committee held at the Changseong-dong Annex of the Government Complex Seoul, Chairman Hanju Lee stated, "The government reorganization task force (TF) is concretizing its contents under strict security," adding, "The overall framework of the government reorganization will be established within this week, and we will soon be able to present the finalized plan to the public."
Spokesperson Seungrae Cho also said at a regular briefing that afternoon, "We are continuing working-level consultation meetings regarding the government reorganization adjustment plan," and added, "Once the draft is organized, we will be able to provide a briefing or explanation."
The National Policy Planning Committee is specifying the government reorganization plan with the principle of 'bold decentralization and redistribution of excessively concentrated functions and powers.'
Regarding prosecution reform, Spokesperson Cho said, "The key issue is how to effectively separate investigative and prosecutorial functions," and explained, "The most important matters are the behavior of administrative agencies and which organization these functions will belong to. There does not seem to be a significant difference in the basic direction. Although there may be slight differences in opinions on functional aspects, there are no major discrepancies."
Regarding the Ministry of Economy and Finance reform plan, he explained, "Separating the budget function is more efficient in terms of planning, formulation, and evaluation of the budget under the current circumstances," and added, "We have determined that dividing the budget function would be beneficial in overcoming the problems of the Ministry of Economy and Finance acting as a 'ministry above ministries' and its issues as a large-scale ministry."
In response to some media reports mentioning the establishment of a new Budget Office under the Prime Minister's Office, the creation of a new Ministry of Finance, or functional adjustments within the Ministry of Economy and Finance, he clarified, "Currently, there may be opinions and rumors, but nothing has been decided," and emphasized, "These are only provisional plans and nothing has been finalized."
Chairman Lee also stressed at the plenary meeting that day, regarding the government reorganization plan, "This matter is extremely important, and under no circumstances should any information be leaked externally," adding, "Since nothing has been finalized yet, any external disclosure could cause unrest within the public sector. Please pay special attention to maintaining confidentiality."
He explained, "The Tax and Fiscal System Reform TF is selecting tasks that require reform in the tax and fiscal sectors for full-scale discussion, and the Regulatory Rationalization TF is analyzing regulatory rationalization measures for the Lee Jaemyung administration," adding, "The National Sovereignty Enhancement and Integration TF is working to select national policy tasks for civic participation and national integration."
He further stated, "In addition, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) TF, the Basic Society TF, and the National Balanced Development Special Committee have also been established and will begin full-scale activities starting this week," urging prompt and efficient discussions.
The National Policy Planning Committee is also collecting public opinions through 'Everyone's Square.' Chairman Lee said, "The average daily number of visitors reaches 23,000, which is 40% more than Gwanghwamun 1st Street (the policy proposal platform during the Moon Jae-in administration), and the number of policy proposals is about ten times higher than in the past," and added, "Please ensure that each division thoroughly reviews the policy proposals submitted by the public and strives to reflect them in national policy tasks."
Meanwhile, starting July 1, the committee plans to operate the 'Everyone's Square on Wheels' bus, touring four regions beginning with Gangwon to directly listen to voices from the field. From this week, each division will also hold meetings with members of the relevant National Assembly standing committees. Chairman Lee requested, "The cooperation of the National Assembly is essential for the enactment and revision of laws," and urged, "Please approach this with sincerity to ensure sufficient consensus is formed."
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