Ruling Party Intercedes for Health Aides

The ruling Millennium Democratic Party spoke out Monday against the Board of Audit and Inspection's rebuke of policy managers at the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The board had blamed health ministry officials for driving the national health insurance program to bankruptcy.

In a conference led by Kim Joong-kwon, chairman of the party, the members concluded, "Although some government officials should take responsibility for poor management of the medical reform, those in charge of implementing policy should be protected."

"Many people are saying that government leaders are making low-ranking officials take all the blame for the mistakes in medical reform," Rep. Chung Dong-young said.

But Jeon Yong-hak, the party spokesman, pointed out that because of poor handling of the reform, former Minister of Health Cha Heong-bong resigned his position and Choi Sun-jung, Mr. Cha's successor, was dismissed.

Noh Mu-hyun, a party adviser, said, "Of course someone should be held responsible for the problems, but since the matter is complicated we should not take action at this point."

An official at the Board of Audit and Inspection, however, said, "The board is an independent institute; it will decide the matter according to its own judgement and policies."

by Lee Yang-su