The Presidential Committee on Policy Planning will draft a government organization reform plan this week and soon disclose the finalized version. The plan is expected to include the separation of budget functions of the Ministry of Economy and Finance mentioned by President Lee Jae-myung during the presidential campaign. The government organization reform plan is expected to be finalized after being reported to President Lee and going through consultations with the Presidential Office.
Chairperson Lee Han-joo of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning said at the third plenary meeting held at the annex of the Government Seoul Building in Changseong-dong on the afternoon of the 30th, "This week, a general outline of the government organization reform will take shape, and we will soon be able to show the completed form to the public."
The Presidential Committee on Policy Planning is reportedly contemplating various measures regarding the separation of the budget function of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Specifically, it has been reported that candidates under review include ▲ the establishment of a budget office under the Prime Minister's Office ▲ the creation of a Ministry of Finance ▲ and restructuring functions within the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The Presidential Committee on Policy Planning plans to finalize the proposal after reporting to President Lee regarding the government organization reform. Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae noted in a briefing, "It must be reported to the Presidential Office and finalized before it can be explained," adding, "However, we are considering the aspect of efficient budget preparation and evaluation, as well as the negative impacts related to the Ministry of Economy and Finance having dominated over other ministries."
As the government organization reform has not yet been finalized, there were signs of increased security within the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning. The reason is that if certain details are reported before the final plan is announced, it could create confusion within the public service.
Chairperson Lee Han-joo urged the members of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning, "If this is made public, it is expected to cause unrest within the public service, so I hope you pay special attention to security," stressing, "There is a possibility that noise may leak out during discussions with those outside, which must not happen."
The Presidential Committee on Policy Planning appointed Song Kyung-hee, the economy subcommittee member and former team leader of the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee, as the head of the artificial intelligence (AI) task force, and appointed Park Soo-hyun, a member of the Democratic Party, as the chairperson of the Special Commission on Balanced Growth and Development. The National Sovereignty Commission is led by Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae and Commissioner Shin Pil-kyun.