Roh to Push Ahead with Reform Over Next Five Years

President Roh Moo Hyun said Friday that he would not resort to power-wielding authority of such government agencies as the National Intelligence Agency and the Prosecutor’s Office to stay in power. He also said that he would serve to the country and its people humbly but stately over the course of his five-year term.

Roh spoke at a government workshop held in the Central Officials Training Institute in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, in a two-day policy-brainstorming meeting attended by his Cabinet and senior presidential aides.

He emphasized during a discussion on government affairs, "When you try to resort to the authority of the Prosecutors` Office, you have to grant them more power. They would then try to rein in the people, exercising their power over everyone."

"In the past, presidents used to put pressure on the NIS to dig up dirt on the opposing party to maintain a strong grip, but from now on, I will not stand gaining any information about domestic politics from the agency," Roh said.

"I would like to use `market reform` instead of the term `business reform,` which might misrepresent government policy as an attack on certain organizations," the President also said. “I will push ahead with market reform over the next five years since businesses will be at their most competitive in the market when free competition is guaranteed.”

"I believe that the press and the media will reform themselves and the public will guide them throughout my term," Roh continued. "For the government and the media to maintain their relationship, the two sides should not seek collusion or compromise anymore. I have no intention to compromise even if I am criticized."

"Political parties will be able to reform themselves but if reform efforts are unsuccessful, I may encourage members of the ruling party to take steps,” he said, when addressing political reform.

"What I`m looking for is an effective government, not a small government," Roh stated, touching on the issue of government reform. “The reform process, however, will begin after a year or two of research and remain gradual.”

“I am considering the formation of a government-wide taskforce that will lead reform on government administration and finance,” he hinted in reference to administrative and finance reform.

Jeong-Hun Kim Young-Hae Choi jnghn@donga.com yhchoi65@donga.com