[Gwanga in] Ministry of Economy and Finance's 'Saganwon'... Why Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok Operates the 'Support TF'

Operation Proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok
Similar to the Former 'Policy Cooperation Office' Function

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, has attracted attention by launching an ‘Advisory TF’ to strengthen internal and external communication functions. The Advisory TF plays an active role in conveying external opinions, such as those from the media, regarding policies promoted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance directly and without alteration to Deputy Prime Minister Choi.

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, attended the Economic Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul on the 21st, speaking about recent economic issues such as the Wemakeprice and Tmon incidents and the fuel tax. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 22nd, Deputy Prime Minister Choi has been holding weekly Advisory TF meetings since shortly after his inauguration at the end of last year. Through these meetings, the Advisory TF conveys external opinions on the Ministry’s policies to Deputy Prime Minister Choi and identifies policy issues. The meetings are attended by three policy advisors from the Ministry and a first-grade spokesperson. The TF comprehensively discusses various opinions, including the direction and timing of the Deputy Prime Minister’s messages and the selection of field visit locations.

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official stated, “The Advisory TF serves to convey external opinions on the Ministry’s policies,” adding, “Policy advisors and spokespersons, who have relatively frequent contact with external parties, act as a kind of Ministry of Economy and Finance version of the ‘Saganwon’ by delivering opinions to the Deputy Prime Minister.” The Saganwon was an institution in the Joseon Dynasty responsible for submitting remonstrances to the king. The Ministry has three policy advisors who communicate various policies and current issues of the Ministry to the Deputy Prime Minister. One position is held by a senior official at the director level, while the other two are special appointed public officials hired externally.

The Advisory TF was created at the suggestion of Deputy Prime Minister Choi. In the past, Choi served as the inaugural head of the Policy Cooperation Office, which was established by former Deputy Prime Minister Hyun Oh-seok to strengthen policy advisory functions. A Ministry official explained, “At that time, former Deputy Prime Minister Hyun entrusted Deputy Prime Minister Choi with coordinating and organizing internal and external affairs,” and added, “Based on that experience, Deputy Prime Minister Choi judged that a function to comprehensively convey external opinions should exist within the Ministry.”

Former Deputy Prime Minister Hyun reportedly recognized Deputy Prime Minister Choi’s outstanding advisory capabilities and established the Policy Cooperation Office to utilize them. There is also an opinion that Deputy Prime Minister Choi created the TF in a similar context to leverage the communication skills of former spokesperson Kim Sung-wook. Another Ministry official hinted, “The TF was initiated partly due to Deputy Prime Minister Choi’s trust in former spokesperson Kim.” However, the Ministry stated that since Deputy Prime Minister Choi recognized the need for the Advisory TF from the time he prepared for the confirmation hearing, the meetings will continue to be held going forward.

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