Yoon to replace New Year briefings with debates

President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) shakes hands with People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon at a New Year's greeting session at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday. (Presidential office)

President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold a series of policy debates instead of receiving New Year briefings from each ministry, ditching formalities to lay out policy items aimed at improving people's livelihood, his office said Wednesday.

The key agendas for Yoon's 2024 policy planning encompass housing, jobs, small- and medium-sized enterprises, public safety, caregiving, public transit, medical reform, media policy, low birth rate and energy.

To touch upon these areas, at least 10 sessions will take place beginning on Thursday. The office will invite members of the public and experts for policy discussions with relevant ministries, according to the presidential office's statement.

Also, multiple government bodies will join forces to develop the policy agendas for this year, unlike in the past when specific policy items had been designated to each ministry, it added.

For example, according to Yoon's office, the Foreign Ministry will join forces with the Trade Ministry, the Culture Ministry and the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration to lay out plans for so-called "job-creating diplomacy," through which the Yoon administration seeks to create more jobs for South Koreans as the president's diplomatic presence grows overseas.

As for the semiconductor-related policy planning, the Industry Ministry, the Science Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Land Ministry, the Environment Ministry and the Startups Industry will work together to discuss plans to build semiconductor chip clusters to help Korea gain a competitive edge and win more strategic components amid the intensifying technology arms race.

Such an unconventional approach, along with the increased engagement of the public and outside experts for policy planning, could help the Yoon administration turn into an "action-oriented" government, the office added.

Moreover, briefings will not necessarily be held in Cheong Wa Dae, depending on the agenda to be discussed, unlike in 2023 when a policy planning briefing took place at the former presidential office. For example, Yoon will be briefed on plans for housing supply at the site for redevelopment. More venue options are on the table, ranging from an industrial complex to a startup campus, a university and a military base, among others, according to the office.

By Son Ji-hyoung(consnow@heraldcorp.com)