President Blames Cabinet Members

President Kim Dae Jung on February 22 expressed his anger with cabinet members on their handling of the controversial national pension system.
Kim held a cabinet meeting at the Blue House(Chong Wa Dae) and placed a large portion of the blame on Kim Mo Im, the minister of health and welfare, for causing nation-wide confusion regarding the system. The president asked that serious reprimands be given to all staff members responsible.
Kim said, 'There was no preparation or honest consideration given on the system, and the good will of the general public was seriously abused which places the government in difficulty.'
He also pinpointed that reports and discussion never were brought up at ministers' meetings. Kim stated, 'Important issues should be placed on the table to be discussed and resolved in the best manner. Unilateral action was the hallmark of former dictators.'
The president continued that this kind of problem occurs under a lax attitude, characterized by senior officials waiting for reports from subordinates rather than looking into issues and trying to serve the people's best interests.
It would hardly be surprising if in the near future there is a reshuffling of cabinet members as Kim Sung Hoon, the minister of agriculture and forestry, came under criticism for the irregularities and inefficiencies in the National Agricultural Cooperatives Federation. A recent audit, there, revealed dubious lending practices and bribery.