Chairman Lee Pil-woo of Seoul National University’s Advanced Center for Administrative Development Alumni (SNU-ACADA) gives a speech at a national policy seminar on reinventing the state at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building in downtown Seoul on June 12.

Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPA) held a national policy seminar on reinventing the state at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building in downtown Seoul on June 12 in the wake of the sinking of the ferry Sewol that claimed more than 300 people lives. 

The seminar, titled “State & Government: Legend & Logic,” was hosted by Seoul National University’s Advanced Center for Administrative Development Alumni (SNU-ACADA).

Chairman Lee Pil-woo of the SNU-ACADA said in his commemorative speech, “These days, it's more significant for government officials and people in chare of (safety matters) in Korea to stick to core principles.” He went on to say that in reality, it is an imperative that the nation should have capabilities to cope with crises in accordance with safety management systems in a scientific, systematic, and voluntary manner as well as the general public’s enhanced response capabilities. 

(from left)  Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPA) Dean Kim Jun-ki,; Rep. Lee Han-koo of the Saenuri Party and Yoo In-bong, senior presidential secretary for state affairs planning

In particular, he said, the revamping of state systems, government functions, and the innovative reorganization of officialdom is more important in that a foundation should be laid for solutions to several problems and woes that have become long-standing practices.

In his commemorative speech, GSPA Dean Kim Jun-ki stressed a paradigm shift in personnel management.

Rep. Lee Han-koo, in his commemorative speech, said the reinventing of the state will have to be done not only in the government and public sector but also in market, societal and cultural fields. He added that the general public’s mindset and institutional reform should be conducted so that the public sector can be reformed. 

Yoo In-bong, senior presidential secretary for state affairs planning, said in his commemorative speech that the big picture for reinventing the state is about a focus on government reform and innovation. He noted the establishment of the tentatively named Office of National Safety and an ethics code restricting officials from seeking jobs in safety-related positions after retirement as well as officialdom’s enhanced specialization, job opening, and diversity.

Chung Yong-duk, professor emeritus of Seoul National University, in his keynote speech titled “A Theory on Reinventing the State: Necessity and Solutions,” touched on the concept, rationale, and scope of reinventing the state, the ferry disaster, the government’s state affairs loopholes, and the process of institutionalizing reform steps. He pointed out the fact that the overall administration of state affairs faces a dilemma: people taking a mounting negative attitude toward power concentration following the realization of democracy whereas expecting achievements surpassing the ones done by former presidents of long-term seizure of power. 

Sakong Il, president of the Institute for Global Economics, chairs the seminar, titled “State & Government: Legend & Logic.” The panelists present at the seminar include Chung Yong-duk, professor emeritus of Seoul National University,; Prof. Kim Min-jeon; of Kyunghee University Humanities College; Prof. Kim Tae-you of Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Technology Management, Economics, and Policy Program; Nam Yoon-ho, managing editor of Joongang Sunday,; Prof. Bahk Jae-wan of Sungkyungkwan University Public Administration Department; Korea University Vice President Yum Jae-ho; President Oak Dong-suk of the Korea Institute of Public Finance; and Rep. Lee Hyun-jae of the Saenuri Party. (photos: NewsWorld) 

Prof. Chung noted that it’s more desirable to become a ‘president who does not do the wrong thing’ rather than a ‘president who makes historic achievements through the implementation of mega projects.’ Commenting on the Park Geun-hye government’s scheme to correct abnormalities, he said, the incumbent government should achieve a historic feat of reinventing the state through the successful implementation of the scheme after tiding over the ferry disaster.  

The seminar featured an intense discussion on the topic following Prof. Chung’s keynote speech. The panelists of the discussion, chaired by Sakong Il, president of the Institute for Global Economics, included Prof. Kim Min-jeon; of Kyunghee University Humanities College; Prof. Kim Tae-you of Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Technology Management, Economics, and Policy Program; Prof. Bahk Jae-wan of Sungkyungkwan University Public Administration Department; Korea University Vice President Yum Jae-ho; President Oak Dong-suk of the Korea Institute of Public Finance; and Rep. Lee Hyun-jae of the Saenuri Party.

Rep. Lee said, “Whenever accidents took place, we’d focused on renovating hardware.”  He also said it is more important that the nation should not only revamp what is seen, but also modify the mindset of all people.

Prof. Kim of Seoul National University said the Miracle of the Han River was owed to elite bureaucrats’ roles, but the role models from which officials of today can take their cues have now disappeared. He pointed out the need for introducing an elite pool system designed to ensure rotational change of specialized positions. He added that now is the time when specialized bureaucrats should be nurtured, not generalized government officials, and long-standing ministers need to take a risk by taking full authority over personnel management.

Prof. Bahk, former minister of strategy and finance, touched on accountability, saying that the shipper of the ferry Sewol, the Coast Guard, and the central government should have fully carried out their responsibilities.