Goh promises to balance reform, stability

Prime Minister Goh Kun said yesterday that he would do his utmost to balance reform and stability in government after his formal appointment by President Roh Moo-hyun.
Mr. Goh, a former Seoul mayor who also served as prime minister in the administration of former President Kim Young-sam, said that he worked extensively with the new president to select a balanced cabinet. Mr. Roh had pledged to give more power to his prime minister during the election campaign, and Mr. Goh said his recommendations were considered. He was a supporter of Oh Myung, president of Ajou University, but Mr. Oh was not given the portfolio of deputy prime minister for education and human resources development.
Mr. Goh said he would be devoted to performing the role of prime minister as stipulated by the constitution, and would participate in duties like organizing the cabinet, something previous prime ministers, including himself, were rarely permitted to do.
He said Mr. Roh is committed to focusing the energy of the Blue House on top national agenda items while delegating day-to-day government operations to Mr. Goh and the cabinet.
Mr. Goh faces the challenge of focusing the new cabinet members, many of whom lack intensive government experience, on its objectives. He said he must handle the aftermath of the tragic Daegu subway arson and execute a bill to name an independent counsel to look into charges that the Kim Dae-jung administration bribed the North to bring the inter-Korean summit.
Mr. Goh promised to minimize any possible adverse effects of the reforms envisioned by the Roh Moo-hyun administration. “Stability and reform are conflicting concepts,” Mr. Goh said. “I will use my extensive experience as an administrator to minimize mistakes and bring reasonable reforms,” he said. “The state management system should be overhauled to meet global standards.”

by Park Shin-hong