Park makes 'substantive' gov't changes

Future-oriented ministry to be created; deputy PM, maritime ministry revived

By Chung Min-uck

Kim Yong-joon, chairman of the presidential transition team, announces a plan for government restructuring for the next administration during a press conference at the Korea Banking Institute building in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Tuesday. At left is Yoon Min-bong, head of the team’s committee for state affairs. / Korea Times photo by Ryu Ho-jin

The transition team of President-elect Park Geun-hye announced a 17-ministry structure for the incoming government, adding two new ministries and establishing a deputy premiership for economic affairs.

The team’s plan features, among others, the creation of the tentatively named Ministry of Creativity and Science and the revival of the former Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs. It still requires approval by the National Assembly.

Official English titles for the ministries will be announced later, according to Yoo Min-bong, head of the team’s committee on state affairs.

The establishment of a creativity and science ministry had widely been anticipated as Park, during her presidential campaign, called for nurturing future growth engines and creating more jobs.

The ministry will have a vice minister handling information and communication affairs, said committee Chairman Kim Yong-joon during a press conference.

The move comes amid criticism that President Lee Myung-bak has neglected the science sector. During his term, Lee abolished the former science and technology ministry and turned its duties over to the education ministry. Lee also scrapped the maritime affairs ministry.

In a press conference held at the team’s office in Seoul, Kim said the minister of strategy and finance would assume the post of deputy minister for economic affairs.

The new structure is the first step for Park, slated to take power Feb. 25, in creating her new government. She is expected to nominate a prime minister sometime next week before naming other Cabinet members.

Kim explained that the new government lineup shows the President-elect’s emphasis on state affairs and her commitment to the safety of the people as well as economic revival.

Other changes include the transfer of supervision of the Korea Food and Drug Administration to the Prime Minister’s Office ― it is currently under the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The Ministry of Special Affairs will be scrapped while the knowledge economy ministry will be changed to the ministry of industry, trade and energy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will turn its trade affairs staff over to the new industry ministry.

The public administration and safety ministry will be renamed as the Ministry of Safety and Public Administration to place a greater focus on safety, and the Coast Guard will be placed under the new maritime affairs ministry.

“The government restructuring was somewhat predictable as it is in line with the President-elect’s campaign pledges made earlier,” said Yoo.

Committee Chairman Kim said the decision was based on three principles; keeping change to a minimum, enhancing people’s safety and reviving the economy, and strengthening professionalism and integration of the government.

Besides the broad layout, the transition team is also considering a major shake-up of smaller offices under the ministries, which could lead to a cut in the number of government officials.

The lower-level redesigning will likely affect ministries which are set to turn some of their duties over to new entities.

Despite the move, the total number of government officials is expected to increase in the forthcoming administration since Park promised to add more police officers, teachers and other civil servants in charge of welfare, safety and education to the government payroll for the betterment of the people’s livelihood.