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Goh Kun to seek social integration

Published: 22 Dec. 2009, 03:35

Goh Kun

Former Prime Minister Goh Kun has been named head of the new presidential committee on social integration, the Blue House announced yesterday.

The presidential office said the committee will officially launch tomorrow with 48 members overall.

In a press release, the Blue House said Goh, who served as prime minister from 2002 to 2004, has long been considered the best person for the job.

“Having worked in some key posts, former Prime Minster Goh has a wealth of experience,” the statement read. “He carries with him the image of integration and a philosophy of centrist pragmatism, and he is also ethical and transparent.”

Goh, 71, was Seoul mayor from 1998 to 2002. He has served as the minister of transportation, agriculture and internal affairs. Goh is currently serving as head of the Climate Change Center, a Seoul-based NGO promoting reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and calling for adjustments to climate change. He will retain his position there.

In his own press release, Goh said he had focused mostly on volunteerism and other civilian activities but decided to take the new post at the behest of the Blue House. “I will honor my political neutrality and impartiality as the committee chair,” Goh said. “And I will put forth my best efforts to prepare alternative policies to prevent and alleviate social discord.”

He also said trying to bring the nation together is a significant and timely task.

“There’s too much friction in our society today and the split is worsening,” Goh said. “Integrating society is the most important and also the most challenging work today.”

Goh insisted that the committee should not be swayed by ongoing political affairs and must “systematize procedures to resolve conflicts” in a logical and reasonable manner.

“We should strive to prepare the new, future-oriented paradigm that creates an atmosphere for both competition and cooperation through communication,” Goh added.

The committee includes active party officials and cabinet ministers, plus civilian members.

The civilian group includes Yonsei University professor Moon Chung-in, former unification minister Park Jae-kyu, novelist Lee Moon-youl and former table tennis world champion Lee Elisa.

The committee will operate four subcommittees, each dealing with social classes, ideologies, regions and generations. Each subcommittee will have 30 members, including civilian experts and high-ranking public servants.

By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]