The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs has revealed new guidelines that include the standards for naming Korean governmental organizations in English. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – When looking at the English names of Korean governmental organizations, there is a section in all departments called the ‘Creative Administration and Management Division’. When translated, it means that the section is in charge of administrative management in a creative way.
A Korean would know that the name of the division comes from the term ‘Creative Economy’, but foreigners who actually get information based on the English names have no idea what the division does.
The Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs has revealed new guidelines that include the standards for naming Korean governmental organizations in English.
Firstly, the ‘Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs’ was shortened to ‘Ministry of the Interior’.
Instead of using the word ‘creative’ in names, the word ‘innovation’, which is more familiar to foreigners, will be used. The ‘Director for Creative Administration and Management’ will be changed to the ‘Director for Organization and Management Innovation’.
‘Divisions’ and ‘Places’ were all changed to ‘Ministry’.
Authorities comment that it is not a must for all organizations to follow the new rules, but the guidelines suggest a standard that will make it easier for foreigners to understand, and give a sense of unity among the organizations.
In addition, the Ministry of the Interior reported suggestions for 141 new names of government organizations. The names of 137 of the affiliated organizations are under consideration for modification.
By M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
