Thorough Transfer and Management of Presidential Records Even in Case of Presidential Vacancy

Partial Amendment to the Presidential Records Act Promulgated on the 8th... Systematic Management from Production to Preservation of Records Starting March Next Year
Systematic Management from Production to Preservation of Records

The Presidential Archives located next to the Lake Park in Sejong City.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Going forward, the production, transfer, collection, and preservation of presidential records will be systematically managed through institutional reform.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the "Amendment to the Act on the Management of Presidential Records," which includes these provisions, was promulgated on the 8th and will be fully implemented starting March 9 of next year.

The amended law strengthens transparency by mandating the publication of the production status of presidential records on the internet homepage, improves management by enabling guidance and inspection of the record management status of presidential record-producing institutions, and dispatches professional record management personnel to ensure efficient execution of record management tasks at these institutions.

In addition, measures have been taken to ensure thorough preparation for the transfer of presidential records and to securely manage any missing or leaked records. The period for confirming and listing records subject to transfer to the Presidential Archives has been extended from six months to one year before the end of the presidential term. Records not transferred or leaked externally by the end of the presidential term must be transferred immediately to the Presidential Archives upon discovery.

Furthermore, legislative gaps have been addressed to ensure that presidential records are thoroughly transferred and managed even if the presidency becomes vacant. To prevent unauthorized destruction and ensure thorough transfer, the movement and reclassification of presidential records are prohibited, the Presidential Archives is authorized to directly inspect and supervise record management sites, and a deadline is set to complete the transfer of presidential records before the next president’s term begins.

To prevent excessive designation of protection periods for presidential records and minimize errors in the designation process, detailed criteria for each designation requirement have been established for setting protection periods. A procedure has also been created allowing former presidents to actively request the removal of designated records from protection to the head of the Presidential Archives when the need for protection no longer exists.

Additionally, the Presidential Archives has been reclassified from a secondary affiliated agency (under the National Archives) to a primary affiliated agency (under the Minister of the Interior and Safety), and major policies and execution related to presidential record management have been centralized under the Presidential Archives to enhance expertise and accountability.

Choi Jae-hee, Director of the Presidential Archives, stated, "We will solidify and stabilize all aspects of record management, including the collection, management, disclosure, and utilization of presidential records," and added, "With strengthened expertise and responsibility of the Presidential Archives, we will strive to become an institution trusted by the public."

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