Pres. Office Rejects Reviving Deputy PM System

The presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae yesterday rejected the revival of the deputy prime minister system, which has been suggested by both the ruling and opposition camps.

A key presidential official told reporters yesterday, “The revival of the deputy prime minister system could be interpreted as a government attempt to control the financial sector. It is not easy to simply bring back the system. It will require revisions to laws on state organization.”

“There is no broad consensus on this issue. But even if there was, it would take a long time to revive the system. We should collect more diverse opinions.”

Another official said, “What is most important now is to wisely overcome the economic crisis based on cooperation and mutual trust. Reshuffling or reorganization plans can wait.”

“Cheong Wa Dae did not officially review replacing Strategy and Finance Minister Kang Man-soo or reviving the deputy prime minister system.”

Experts warned, however, that the matter could cause tension between the ruling Grand National Party and the administration.

Key party figures such as floor leader Hong Joon-pyo and Lee Hahn-koo, chairman of the National Assembly’s Budget and Account Committee, want the deputy prime minister system back.

The party’s chief policymaker Yim Tae-hee also supported the system’s return. “We need something to oversee and coordinate economic policies. I believe the system can play this role effectively for the time being,” he said.

ddr@donga.com