President Moon calls off regulation reform meeting

President Moon calls off regulation reform meeting. June. 28, 2018 07:28. weappon@donga.com,alwaysj@donga.com.
President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday canceled the second regulatory innovation review meeting, which he was set to have with officials from the ruling party, the government and Cheong Wa Dae, three hours before it was scheduled citing lack of preparation as a reason. Although it was Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon who recommended the president to call off the meeting, President Moon was reportedly “frustrated” with lack of progress in regulatory reform.

A high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters on Wednesday that Prime Minister Lee suggested that the meeting be put off on the grounds that the prepared ideas cannot meet the expectation of people and President Moon accepted his offer. President Moon was scheduled to preside over the meeting, where 20 staff, including ministers, presidential secretaries, economic organizations, entrepreneurs from new industries and ruling party leadership, participate to review the progress made in regulatory reform.

After receiving a briefing from the prime minister, President Moon had a meeting with presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok and said, “Regulatory reform is merely a slogan if it is not backed by speed. I urge you to make tangible progress in regulatory reform so that people can actually feel the benefits from it,” according to Cheong Wa Dae.

As the president sharply reprimanded economic departments, which is in charge of innovative growth, following a major reshuffle of senior secretaries the previous day, people in the public service are likely to be in shock. On the same day, Moon also canceled his scheduled reception for UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.