Senior Government and Ruling Party Discuss Administrative Network Outage Measures... "Public-Private Collaboration and Budget Increase Needed"

First High-Level Party-Government Council Meeting After Presidential Office Restructuring
Extension of Postponement for Serious Accident Punishment Act

The Presidential Office, the government, and the People Power Party agreed on the 3rd that public-private collaboration, budget increases, and emergency preparedness drills are necessary to prevent a recurrence of the government administrative network outage.

Kim Dae-gi, Chief Secretary to the President, said at the high-level party-government meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, in the afternoon, "Everything stems from the lack of proper investment in the past administrative network," adding, "Bold investment must be made from now on. For parts that continuously require financial resources, I hope plans will be finalized promptly and reflected in next year's budget within the regular National Assembly session."

Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, is speaking at the high-level party-government consultation meeting held on the afternoon of the 3rd at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, also said, "The government must actively absorb the advanced technology and management capabilities of private companies. It is necessary to create a structure that collaborates with competent companies," and pointed out, "The paralysis of the administrative network may be the result of the absence of public-private collaboration and the government's closed project commissioning. The comprehensive control role and authority should be clearly defined, and a 'Plan B' and emergency preparedness drill plans should be established to prepare for any eventuality."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader, said, "Although this has accumulated since the launch of the electronic government, the responsibility to improve it lies with our government," and mentioned, "We will strive to amend the Electronic Government Act, Public Data Act, Data-Based Administration Act, and increase the budget for information system operation and maintenance necessary to enhance the digital government."

In addition to the administrative network outage, improvements to the Serious Accident Punishment Act and plans for the Neulbom School were also discussed.

The ruling party emphasized that the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which is expanded to all workplaces with five or more workers, unfairly labels management as potential criminals and plans to push for an extension of the grace period.

Leader Kim said, "The current system that labels management as potential criminals may be far from the essence of preventing serious accidents," adding, "There is a strong voice from the field that expanding the law to workplaces with fewer than 50 workers from January next year is too burdensome. We should take a 'two-track' approach by extending the grace period and strengthening support."

Floor leader Yoon said, "Since the enactment of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, issues such as vague provisions and excessive punishment have been pointed out," and emphasized, "Our party has proposed an amendment to postpone the application of the law to companies with fewer than 50 workers for two more years, and we will do our best to ensure its passage."

Regarding the nationwide implementation plan for the Neulbom School next year, Leader Kim explained, "It is important to separate and operate existing duties and Neulbom School duties so that educational field personnel do not bear additional burdens, and to expand mutual support with education offices and others."

Attending the meeting were Chief Secretary Kim, Policy Chief Lee Gwan-seop, Senior Secretaries Han O-seop for political affairs, Lee Do-woon for public relations, Park Chun-seop for economic affairs, and Jang Sang-yoon for social affairs. From the government side, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho attended, and from the ruling party, Leader Kim, Floor Leader Yoon, Secretary-General Lee Man-hee, and Policy Committee Chairman Yoo Ui-dong were present.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the high-level party-government consultation meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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