Lee indicates sweeping overhaul of bureaucracy

By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Dec. 22 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said on Monday that his bid
for economic reforms and changes won't be hindered by the ongoing economic
difficulties, urging ranking civil servants to follow his administrative vision
and philosophy in weathering the unprecedented financial crisis.

Meeting with top officials of the land, agriculture, public administration and
environment ministries over their key policy goals for 2009, Lee warned that some
reform-resistant bureaucrats, who gained rapid promotions in the previous liberal
administration, are still passive in enforcing his reform and stimulus measures.
"Civil servants have to take the lead (in overcoming the crisis). If some of them
fail to keep up with the speed (of reforms and changes), the entire march will be
slowed," said Lee.
"Civil servants are required to firmly establish their own state vision so that
they can help overcome the crisis and make preparations for the new era. Their
unified attitudes will help the nation upgrade its global competitiveness."
According to political watchers, Lee's remarks may be a signal of an upcoming
sweeping shakeup of reform-shy ranking officials at major ministries, who are
blamed for failing to faithfully carry out the conservative president's reform
policies.
Over the past week, all "Grade One" officials at half a dozen ministries,
including education, foreign affairs, agriculture and unification, have offered
to resign, as the conservative Lee administration strived to further distance
itself from policies devised by his liberal predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun.
Following the upcoming replacement of top government officials, Lee is expected
to conduct a Cabinet reshuffle early next year to revamp the overall
administrative atmosphere ahead of his first inaugural anniversary in February.
Over the weekend, the Lee government announced an ambitious plan to shed 19,000
jobs in the public sector, with 69 major state-run corporations slashing 10
percent to 37.5 percent from their current payrolls in the coming three to four
years.
"Economic circumstances are worsening. But we will never slow our efforts for
changes and reforms. All civil servants have to join forces to revitalize the
economy and implement reforms," said the president.
He instructed the four ministries to execute their 2009 budget spending "swiftly
and efficiently," deepen inter-ministerial cooperation in major public works
projects and minimize waste of taxpayer money.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)