Heads of Former Administration Barred from Briefings

Heads of government-affiliated associations who were appointed by the former Roh Moo-hyun administration are unlikely to be allowed to attend ministerial briefings to President Lee Myung-bak. Oh Jee-Chul, president of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), and Chung Sun-kyun, president of the Korea Broadcasting Advertising Corporation (KOBACO), tapped into the posts by former President Roh, will not be eligible to participate in the presidential briefing by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, slated for March 14.

A source familiar with the ministry said in a telephone interview with the Dong-A Ilbo yesterday that, “KTO and KOBACO are subject to government control and supervision since they completely depend on the national fiscal budget.” “The heads of these organizations should ask the new administration whether they would keep their office. But they have been just keeping their posts without saying anything. So we haven’t decided on the appointment yet.”

Oh Jee-Chul served as the vice minister of KTO under the Roh government. He was appointed to the post in November 2007 and his term will expire in November 2010. Chung Sun-kyun led the Government Information Agency under the former president. His term started in May 2006 and will end in May 2009.

The source also made clear the plan to exclude these figures from presidential reports on state affairs, saying, “It simply doesn’t make sense at all to let those yet to be approved participate in critical briefings to the president.”

The ministerial decision is said to have stemmed from a prevailing consensus among officials in the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party.

Although the presidential office did not clarify its principles to exclude the personnel appointed by the former government, there has been a widespread perception that former government officials should resign with a new government sworn in.

It is reported that this plan was discussed and agreed upon during a consultation session by the Culture Ministry and Cheong Wa Dae over the briefing to the president.

An official of the presidential office said, “The decision to exclude those officials depends on the ministry.” The new government is expected to rule out the participation of the heads of government-associated agencies in other briefing sessions including the ones of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs.

mhpark@donga.com