“Unnecessary Regulations Must Be Scrapped”: Pres. Lee

The government decided not to draw up an extra budget worth 4.86 trillion won aimed at boosting domestic demand, during the ongoing one-month extraordinary parliamentary session. Instead, about 2 trillion won will be set aside for the government to use without the National Assembly’s approval.

Presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said such announcements were made in the strategic finance meeting presided over by President Lee Myung-bak at the Central Officials Training Institute in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Sunday.

In a briefing held on the same day, the spokesman said, “Approval of the extra budget requires a revision in the National Finance Law, which has created tension between the ruling and opposition parties. Therefore, the government will not proceed with the plan in this April parliamentary session.”

Regarding the fate of the plan after the month-long extraordinary session, he said, “It remains to be seen,” indicating that extra spending may be allocated after the opening of the 18th National Assembly, which may give green light to the revision of the finance law.

President Lee stressed in the meeting, “Although it is important for us to work with an increased budget, it is equally critical that we effectively use the existing budget.”

While mentioning his visit to a ranch in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, the day before, he once again emphasized the importance of regulation reforms and field-oriented administration.

He said, “Many ranchers pointed out the difficulties in building new cattle sheds, blaming cumbersome regulations stipulated in the Fire Services Act (which mandates new sheds to be equipped with an emergency exit sign). It’s not like cows can read the sign (when a fire breaks out).” He further criticized, “Ranchers have to waste money on putting the unnecessary signs because of the troublesome regulatory clause. I was so ashamed of it that I did not know how to respond to the complaints.”

He added, “We cannot educate cows to use the fire exit in case of an emergency (such as fire). What we should do is change the regulation. Instead of discussing grandiose plans, the National Assembly should address little things that matter to the people’s livelihood. That way, they can enhance their competitiveness. Ministers should go out there to see what is really happening instead of reading them off the reports presented before them.”

ddr@donga.com