The Ability to Plan and Administer : Recent Developments in Korean Public Administration

Abstract

Korean public administration in the last decade has enjoyed a stable political leadership. The major goal of the government was thc country's economic development which was attained with unprecedented record. Various reforms in public administration were undertaken for thc attainment of this goal. Central planning organization, the Economic Planning Board (EPB), was given budgetary functions in addition to the long-range planning function. It has been able to gear annual budget review and examination process to the five year economic development plans. Within the executive arm of the government the leaders of the EPB have been the most powerful men next to the nation's president, and could exercise directive leadership over the ministries more or less directly concerned with economic development. Differentiation of government structure including public enterprises, was carried out most extensively compared to the previous decades, and these reorganizations were aimed at successful implementation of the economic development plans. Various measures to induce foreign investments, to increase the export of domestic products and earn hard currencies were carried out vigorously through many agencies and multiple channels. It was like a warfare in which the sense of emergency and mission has governed the behavior of participants. Because of this atmosphere and strong and determined political leadership, these efforts were relatively well coordinated and integrated. Nation's president and prime ministers, through thc new system of planning, programming, review and an analysis, could check, guide and facilitate thc implementation of economic development plans.