Emergency Response at Disaster Sites to Be Expedited... Post-Action Disciplinary Exemption

Revision of Active Administration Operation Regulations Passes Cabinet
New Post-Approval Procedure Introduced to Support Swift Decisions by Disaster and Safety Officials

In the future, government officials on the ground will be able to make swift and bold decisions in urgent situations that threaten public safety or national security, as disciplinary exemptions will be possible even after the fact.

On December 23, the Ministry of Personnel Management announced that a revision to the "Active Administration Operation Regulations," which includes these measures, has passed the Cabinet meeting.

This amendment is a follow-up to the "Measures to Strengthen Disaster and Safety Organizations and Personnel" announced in September. The main point is that the requirements for disciplinary exemption will be expanded so that public officials can take prompt and appropriate actions in emergencies without the burden of personal responsibility.

Previously, disciplinary exemption was only possible if the work was processed after prior review by the Active Administration Committee established at each institution. However, reflecting the reality that prior review is virtually impossible in urgent disaster situations, the system has been improved to allow for disciplinary exemption even after the fact.

As before, all public officials are eligible for disciplinary exemption if they handle work according to prior review. However, in situations where urgent action is required to protect public safety and security, if active administration is carried out without prior review, a new procedure will allow for disciplinary exemption through "post-approval" by the committee.

To do so, the relevant official must request a review by the committee after taking action. The committee will then conduct a comprehensive review of the urgency and necessity of the action, and may grant (approve) disciplinary exemption.

Choi Dongseok, Minister of Personnel Management, stated, "In urgent disaster or safety situations, even a moment's delay can lead to great harm to public safety and lives," and added, "We will continue to strengthen the institutional foundation so that government officials on the ground can respond quickly and boldly without fear of disadvantage."