The Ministry of Public Administration and Security (MOPAS) has set their goals in 2011, to create a safe environment to better pursue national concerns. Following the successful G20 summit and a stable fourth year of the current government, the ministry is looking forward to strengthening the successful integration of e-government and the booming mobile market for next year.
Keeping the nation safe
First on the list for the MOPAS 2011 Operation Plan report is creating a safer Korea, with a focus on national security. Following the mounting tensions on the western coast, plans to strengthen procedures for national emergency are underway; including more detailed planning of non-combatant evacuation procedures and crisis management protocols. In addition, further anti-terrorist security measures, especially against cyber terrorism, are under review for implementation.
Natural disasters and individual security are also on the agenda. The MOPAS unveiled plans dealing with enhanced measures in the case of natural disasters such as improved drainage systems to prepare for floods and measures to be taken in case of a volcano eruption at Mt. Baekdu. The concern for the safety of individual citizens, especially children were also apparent in the report, with more preventive measures against crime such as CCTVs and reducing 'crime blind spots'.
Distributing the power
The ministry is also focused on giving more power to the local governments while increasing efficiency and size of local economies. Various plans to increase productivity in local cities are in the development stage, such as funding and aid for businesses outside the capital. This will hopefully create new jobs and allow green economy to take place.
To address the problem of polarization of age groups in local areas, plans are under review to create jobs in these areas with the younger workforce in mind. Schooling problems and lower living conditions will be addressed while small to medium businesses will benefit from financial aid. The report hopes that this will create better incentives.
Green growth, a rather recurring theme over many government organizations, is again an important part of next year's plans. New plans such as the four rivers project are part of an eco-friendly lifestyle and campaigns to promote bicycle use are being developed in similar fashion.
Efficient government will hopefully get results
A central theme in the 2011 operations report includes creating a more efficient government that will show results. The ministry has plans to reinforce previous undertakings that were successful and strengthening convergence between the government sectors while implementing more efficient organizational management. This is because the ministry wants to create a centered government organization. Welfare for government employees and officials are undergoing renovation as well.
Constantly improving in leaps and bounds, IT technology is an integral part of a more efficient government. After the successful implementation of the e-government system, there are plans to further capitalize on these early successes. The mobile 'smart government' is also in the planning stage, where users can take care of their civil affairs on smart phones. Mobile one-stop civil affair hubs and smart work centers will spearhead a new breed of government.
A warm and fair place to live
Taking care of the impoverished and the disadvantaged is an important issue for any government planning. As an answer to this issue, MOPAS is going to provide the community job opportunity program, closing the 'information gap' and as well as improving safety for these communities. CCTV and more efficient healthcare is planned in the lesser developed areas and more job opportunities are planned for disabled citizens.
Global citizenship is also a big issue in the future. Foreigners residing in Korea, multicultural families and expatriates will benefit from many of the new policies being implemented for them. Translations of civil affair documents will be available and as well as more job opportunities for people with multicultural backgrounds.
The report ends with status reports on implementing the address reformation, globalization of the Saemaul movement and as well as exporting the e-government system.
