A Task Force Led by the Chief Presidential Secretary
Expected for Public Institution Consolidation and Abolition
Kim Yongbeom, Chief of Policy at the Presidential Office, announced that the government’s organizational restructuring plan will be finalized in September. Regarding the consolidation and abolition of public institutions mentioned by President Lee Jaemyung during a Cabinet meeting, he anticipated that a task force (TF) team, led by Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoonshik, would be established to oversee the process.
At a press briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 20th, Chief Kim stated, "The Policy Office also oversees the finalization of the Lee Jaemyung administration’s national policy agenda. This includes the government organizational restructuring plan and measures to reorganize presidential committees." He added, "Based on the National Policy Committee’s proposal, we plan to finalize the plan at the Cabinet meeting in September after discussions and consultations with the relevant ministries."
The government restructuring plan prepared by the National Policy Planning Committee was reported to the President at the end of last month but has not been released to the public. This is due to differing opinions between the ruling party and the administration regarding the direction of the restructuring, as well as the Presidential Office’s view that further deliberation is necessary. The committee is said to have reported proposals including the abolition of the Prosecutors’ Office, restructuring of financial ministries such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Financial Services Commission, and Financial Supervisory Service, and the establishment of a Ministry of Climate and Energy.
Regarding President Lee’s directive on the consolidation and abolition of public institutions at the Cabinet meeting, Kim said, "He gave a separate directive again today (the 20th)," and added, "We need to properly consolidate and abolish public institutions. I expect that a separate TF, chaired by the Chief Presidential Secretary, will be formed to address these issues." He also noted that the TF may include the Chief of Policy, the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, and the Senior Secretary for Public Communication and Integration.
Kim further explained, "Broadly speaking, the largest issue involves power generation public enterprises. It is important to determine whether the system of power generation public enterprises is appropriate for the era of electrification." He added, "In the era of renewable energy, power generation public enterprises may be required to play entirely different roles." He also stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will soon announce a TF for LH reform, and there are also plans for the integration of SRT and KTX, as well as financial public enterprises. There is much work to be done, including improving the efficiency of public institutions, reforming governance, changing evaluation systems, and even considering how to reform the Public Institution Management Committee."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
