Major Government Restructuring in June

The government plans to promote the finance-economy minister and the education minister to the post of deputy prime minister, in a major restructuring of government organizations.

The subcommittee for the adjustment of government functions released a report by the Korea Institute of Public Administration on May 7 outlining these and other changes to the government. The subcommittee, headed by Chung Jung-kil, will hold a public hearing on the afternoon of May 8 prior to the enactment of the bill, which is expected to be approved by the National Assembly in June.

According to the proposal, the Ministry of Finance and Economy would coordinate the economic functions of other ministries, including the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Construction and Transportation.

The Ministry of Education will transfer the management of primary and secondary education to district offices on the condition that the minister of education is promoted to deputy prime minister. The ministry could also play a lesser role in the management of universities.

The Presidential Commission on Women's Affairs will undergo a major shift in emphasis, depending on which direction the subcommittee decides to take. The commission will become one of three administrative organizations: the Office of Women's Affairs, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, or the Ministry of Youth and Women's Affairs. The latter two options would give the commission policy-making powers at the ministry level.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Commission on Youth Protection are currently responsible for youth-related policy-making. If the government does decide to discard the idea of creating a Ministry of Youth and Women's Affairs, the responsibilities would be integrated.

by Kim Ki-chan