According to the new government innovation action plans announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Monday, social values will be prioritized in all sectors, including society, the economy, the environment and culture, in a move to promote the public interest. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Social values and the improvement of quality of life are at the forefront of South Korea’s new government innovation plans.
According to the new government innovation action plans announced by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on Monday, social values will be prioritized in all sectors, including society, the economy, the environment and culture, in a move to promote the public interest.
The new plans mark the government’s shift away from quantitative growth, as the previous government administration’s drive for efficiency and economic growth has been criticized for neglecting social values, causing polarization and inequality.
Citing bleak figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicating that South Korea has ranked near the bottom in both the gender equality and life quality index for years, the government presented its vision for a better future during the conference on Monday.
From next year, the government will focus spending on the promotion of social values, improving safety, the environment and the protection of socially marginalized groups, and further plans will focus on socially motivated economic stimulation.
As part of the efforts, a 300 billion won fund dedicated to ensuring social values will be established with private capital, while more electric cars will be deployed at public institutions to help tackle air pollution.
In addition, new gender equality efforts will see up to 1 in 10 high-ranking government official positions held by women by 2022, while the representation of women in the workplace will be reflected in the performance evaluation of each public institution.
Social values and the improvement of quality of life are at the forefront of South Korea’s new government innovation plans. (Image: Kobiz Media)
The blueprints also offered to improve the nation’s place in the Corruption Perceptions Index by the global civil society organization Transparency International, by opening up communication channels between the government and the public and doing away with unnecessary regulations.
“With the South Korean economy ranking in the world’s top 10, we’ve set a goal to raise trust in government to a similar level, which will require cooperation and willingness between government branches,” said an official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
