Reformist Scholars Hold High Ranking Position in Government

President Roh Moo-hyun’s so-called “brain group” is emerging.

On June 11, President Roh appointed his policy advisor, Kim Byong-joon, as chief secretary to the President for National Policy, and Yoon Sung-sik as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Government Innovation & Decentralization, as both were key policy advisors to Roh during the 2002 presidential campaign.

Moon Chung-in, who is expected to manage the Northeast Asia committee, and Lee Jong-seok, deputy head of the National Security Council (NSC) who will assume the organization’s top post, have played a crucial role in consultation on diplomatic and security agendas in the last presidential election.

What is remarkable is the selection of Kim Byong-joon, the current chairman of the Presidential Committee on Government Innovation & Decentralization, as chief secretary to the President for National Policy, a selection made in an effort to coordinate political agendas in a balanced manner among political parties, the government, and the office of the president since he has orchestrated recent governmental reform. Kim is considered to be the top political advisor who can truly understand the president’s true thoughts and intentions.

Now that the president can establish a lineup consisting of Chairman Yoon, who has developed a blueprint for government innovation, Home Affairs Minister Huh Sung-kwan, the former scholar who will materialize the blueprint, and Kim. It is expected that Roh will pursue his resolve to push for his reform plan in his second phase of presidency.

“A lot of government organizations are still lacking fear for the public, committing the same mistakes over and over,” Yoon said at a press conference, citing “the bad dumpling crisis.” He also emphasized government reforms.

Furthermore, considering the future influence to be exerted by Lee Jung-woo, the new chairman of the Presidential Commission on Policy Planning, the president’s “brain members” will add to the influence over policy-making processes among Cheong Wa Dae and the government.

In diplomatic and security agendas, the importance of the “brain” will become more recognizable. As the Presidential Committee of the Northeast Asian Business Hub, having concentrating on promoting Korea as “logistics and financial hub,” has changed its name to the Northeast Asia Committee, it will manage the comprehensive strategy on mid and long-term security measures. Since the Northeast Asia Committee is planning to share a consultation channel with the NSC, there will be a new line consisting of Moon Chung-in and Lee Jong-seok. Moon, who was considered for succeeding former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoon Young-Kwan last year, has received the president’s strong support.

Roh’s appointments of new governmental officials are regarded as an attempt to pursue his “reform drive” with his top political advisors who deeply understand his philosophy in policy- making. His nomination of Lee Hai-chan as prime minister is interpreted in the same context.

On the other hand, some experts expect that Finance Minister Lee Hun-jai would enjoy more support since the president picked a scholar as chief secretary to the president for national policy. It is interesting that both Kim Woo-sik, chief of staff, and Kim Byong-joon graduated from commercial high schools.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com