[LETTERS TO THE EDITOR]How to Introduce E-Government

The plan to create e-government is gaining momentum. E-government is essential to progress toward an information society and to stimulate the recently slumping information technology sector. For the successful creation of e-government a "bubble" economy in the IT sectors must be avoided.

Those involved in IT projects should check to be sure that the outcomes of the projects are properly applied, and guard against overlapping investments. People engaged in the IT sector should keep in mind that projects promoted beyond a nation's abilities always fail.

Therefore it is reasonable for the government to forget about creating an e-government system until October 2002. E-government should be built on the foundation of existing systems. Computer systems fail if their users are not accustomed to them, regardless of how advanced and superior they may be.

The government should always bear in mind that malfunctioning e-government may bring serious side effects.

－ Kim Hyeong-ju

Seoul National University