"Government Trust Increases During COVID-19 Response Process" ... Accelerating 'Digital Government Innovation'

Announcement of Government Innovation Promotion Direction ... Enhancing Crisis Response Capabilities for Infectious Diseases and Climate Disasters

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government is reorganizing national innovation tasks and strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration systems to enhance response capabilities in unexpected crises such as new infectious diseases and climate disasters. It is also accelerating digital government innovation through the activation of the data economy and support for the growth of innovative companies.

On the 14th, the government held a briefing on the "Three-Year Achievements and Tasks of Government Innovation" at the Government Complex Sejong, explaining the innovation achievements so far and the future direction of implementation.

First, to secure the safety of the people from unprecedented large-scale threats such as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government decided to discover and promote innovation tasks that can enhance crisis response capabilities across various government sectors. Investments to prevent new infectious diseases and climate disasters will be expanded, disaster safety-related collaboration and response systems will be established, and research and development will also be increased.

Additionally, as economic and social polarization is a concern in the rapidly changing environment due to COVID-19, the government plans to further enhance administrative inclusiveness and review the public service delivery system to ensure uninterrupted public services under any circumstances. For example, it plans to expand public services such as improving offline counters for digital vulnerable groups and educational support, and prepare support measures for children and elderly people facing food insecurity when school meals or free meal centers are suspended.

In the 'post-COVID' era, the government will accelerate digital government innovation to lead digital transformation internationally. It will support the activation of the data economy by expanding the opening of public data in areas such as healthcare, finance, and environment, and focus on the success of the 'Digital New Deal' by helping the growth of innovative companies through public procurement and other means.

Tasks that have grown in importance after COVID-19, such as untact public services and transitioning to smart work environments, will be promoted. Representative examples include expanding the transition of offline services to online, remote field inspections and tests, video civil complaint consultations, and the expanded use of electronic certificates.

Along with this, based on the experience of responding to COVID-19, the government plans to improve its operational methods to become a more flexible and agile government and actively promote innovation tasks related to public-private cooperation by boldly reflecting citizens' ideas.

Jin Young, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said, "In the post-COVID era, it is difficult to solve problems with existing methods, and faster responses become more important, so demands for innovation will inevitably increase," adding, "We will promote innovation to prepare for the future together with the people."

Meanwhile, the government self-assessed that positive changes recognized even abroad have appeared based on broad public participation and inter-ministerial cooperation during the three years of the Moon Jae-in administration.

In particular, it emphasized that transparent disclosure of information and rapid response during the crisis caused by COVID-19 increased trust in the government and demonstrated the effectiveness of a government operation method where the government and the private sector actively cooperate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.