Retired soldiers to head defense units amid skepticism over reform effort

SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense ministry said Friday it appointed
four civilians to head non-combat units as part of a government-wide effort to
trim bureaucracy, but the move was greeted with skepticism when the replacements
turned out to be former soldiers.
The ministry last year designated five units, including three suppliers and one
military hospital, under a decade-old mandate to introduce private-sector
initiatives and personnel into the government.
Four of the five units will be overseen by retired soldiers, including a pair of
former generals, the ministry said, acknowledging the appointees lack background
in competitive sectors.
Kim Yoon-seok, who supervises reform at the Ministry of National Defense, cited a
lack of applicants among civilians, hoping the new heads will be pressured by
their two-year contracts to boost the effectiveness of their units.
The ministry said it plans to broaden its reform effort by expanding the
streamlining mandate to two more units this year and attracting civilians to seek
posts in the military.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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