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Cheong Wa Dae to Step Up Efforts to Recruit Ministers in Their 40s

Cheong Wa Dae to Step Up Efforts to Recruit Ministers in Their 40s

Posted August. 11, 2005 03:05,   

한국어

It was revealed on August 10 that Cheong Wa Dae is actively seeking to bring younger generations to the bureaucracy by scouting for talent in its 40s for ministerial positions.

The office of the presidential secretary for balanced human development said in a report titled: “An analysis of OECD countries’ leaders,” which was submitted to President Roh Moo-hyun, that the current administration has no minister in his or her 40s or younger, and only one female minister. It noted that this should be changed.

The report pointed out that the average age of ministers in OECD countries is 52.7 and they are composed of those in their 50s (44.5 percent), 40s (24.2 percent), and 60s (21.6 percent). And it is noteworthy that the variety of age groups can easily represent diverse social groups and classes.

By contrast, the average age of the Korean administration is 56.8 years old, putting the nation in fifth position in terms of the aging of ministers among OECD countries. Switzerland (62.0 years old) topped the list, followed by Italy (59.6 years old), Japan (59.2 years old) and the U.S. (57.0 years old).

A survey conducted by Cheong Wa Dae on May 16 has indicated that there is public backing behind the government’s new move. A total of 65.8 percent of those surveyed supported the idea of appointing ministers in their mid to late 40s. And 36.7 percent said that there are too many elderly members among incumbent senior public officials.



Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com