[Reporter`s view] Minister Jin`s schedule might be too heavy

On Dec. 4, at 7 a.m. Finance-Economy Minister Jin Nyum walked out of his home in the Bangbae-dong, Seoul. The morning was not yet broken. As soon as he got in the car, he began leafing through documents. The particular documents pertained to that which would be discussed at the ministerial meeting at Chong Wa Dae.

Following the meeting at Chong Wa Dae, he quickly made his way to the computation center of the Korea Development Bank in Yoido. He had a 9 a.m. appointment with the president of City Bank, Sanford Well. Then, it was off to an interview at a radio station. Wrapping up the interview, it was on to a luncheon with foreign press reporters at the assembly hall of the Federation of Korean Industries. The reporters, who had keen interest in the Korean economy, persistently posed difficult questions. Busily answering the questions, he was hardly able to eat.

Even as he answered and ate, his aide kept looking at his watch, signaling, "It's time to go to the National Assembly." He rushed on to the National Assembly¡¯s Finance and Economy Committee meeting scheduled for the afternoon.

Looking through his schedules, he has his share of such busy days. He is invited to various other lectures and events. Especially, he appears frequently on TV. In the first 100 days since his appointment to the helm of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, which was about the middle of last month, he had appeared on TV altogether 20 times.

Minister Jin's "active pursuit in foreign affairs" has begotten mixed reaction by other public officials at the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

"At such an age of 60, it is admirable to see (the minister) busily go about from early morning to late night for his work," one observer said. On the other hand, another noted, "We hardly ever see his face at the office in Kwachon."

Many also are worried his busy schedule does not leave him time enough to adequately review the economy and economic policies.

At the time of the Hyundai crisis, Minister Jin lamented, "As the national head of economic affairs, it is a shame to not even have time to study the overall economy in detail but have to be so deeply involved in the Hyundai or Daewoo crisis."

As the national head of economic affairs, many do recognize the noble cause of Minister Jin to attempt to explain the present and future of our economy to as many people as possible. However, with the minister of finance and economy, who represents the Korean Ministry of Finance and Economy, so busily pursuing schedules away from his office, many are worried whether he might be neglecting the important duties back in his office.

Kwon Soon-Hwal shkwon@donga.com