This paper reviews the motivations, visions and strategies of the Kim Dae-Jung Administration’s public sector reform initiative, identifies promising features and problems, and brings up future tasks. A framework of analysis is set up based on systems analysis and change management. The initiative’s visions are largely successful in terms of setting up an infrastructure of structural reforms and institutionalizing the initiative as they properly focus on value-for-money and democracy. However, the new initiative pays relatively less attention to procedural democracy, an essential element to remedy the lop-sided operation of the Korean government. In accordance with five checkpoints suggested by the framework of analysis, the new initiative’s strategies are examined. Key features of the strategies are the followings: ( i ) tough leadership backed up by powerful driving agencies; ( ii ) top-down approaches; ( iii ) comprehensive scope with scattered safe harbors; ( iv ) conflicts and distortions from myopic perspectives and political motives; and ( v ) higher intensity and faster pace in compelled uniformity. Corresponding to these features, we suggested several tasks to be addressed. Among other things, a bottom-up approach and a clean up of the political context prior to or at least simultaneously with the new public management drive are indispensable for a successful reform.
At the centre or in control? Central agencies in search of new identities
