ID :
207473
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 05:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207473
The shortlink copeid
Head of joint growth commission tells gov't to 'back off'
SEOUL (Yonhap) - The head of a public commission for joint growth of large and small companies told the government to "back off" Friday, claiming policymakers were interfering with the commission's work.
"There have been many conflicting opinions among different interest groups, and the government even tried to suggest a guideline as the commission's work involves settling social discord through mediation," said Chung Un-chan, head of the Commission for the Shared Growth of Large and Small Companies.
"I hope the government will no longer interfere with the commission's work, telling it what to do and what not to do."
The strong remarks from Chung came two days after Choi Joong-kyung, minister of knowledge economy, the department that oversees the commission's operations, acknowledged a recent visit by a vice minister to the commission. He, however, claimed the visit was only intended to "remind" the commission of its objectives, which the ministry, as an overseer, is entitled to do.
The latest conflict comes as the commission is set to decide later Friday a list of business areas fit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will discourage, if not prohibit, large companies from entering the selected industries.
The ministry, tasked with setting the country's industrial policies and in charge of promoting exports, currently led by large conglomerates, has opposed setting up business restrictions.
"It is not right to say we must prevent large companies from entering certain business areas to protect SMEs. There have been areas, such as the lighting and light bulb industries, where participation by large conglomerates would have led to a larger success," Choi told reporters Wednesday.
"There is no logic to explain how our semiconductors are the world's best, but lighting and electric lightbulbs, which are closely related, are not. We must not, at least, repeat the same mistake."
Despite the minister's stance, Chung, a former prime minister, refused to back down.
"If we fail to reach a consensus between different interest groups, the commission in the end will have to boldly act and make settlements. The commission will take the ultimate responsibility," he said.
"There have been many conflicting opinions among different interest groups, and the government even tried to suggest a guideline as the commission's work involves settling social discord through mediation," said Chung Un-chan, head of the Commission for the Shared Growth of Large and Small Companies.
"I hope the government will no longer interfere with the commission's work, telling it what to do and what not to do."
The strong remarks from Chung came two days after Choi Joong-kyung, minister of knowledge economy, the department that oversees the commission's operations, acknowledged a recent visit by a vice minister to the commission. He, however, claimed the visit was only intended to "remind" the commission of its objectives, which the ministry, as an overseer, is entitled to do.
The latest conflict comes as the commission is set to decide later Friday a list of business areas fit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will discourage, if not prohibit, large companies from entering the selected industries.
The ministry, tasked with setting the country's industrial policies and in charge of promoting exports, currently led by large conglomerates, has opposed setting up business restrictions.
"It is not right to say we must prevent large companies from entering certain business areas to protect SMEs. There have been areas, such as the lighting and light bulb industries, where participation by large conglomerates would have led to a larger success," Choi told reporters Wednesday.
"There is no logic to explain how our semiconductors are the world's best, but lighting and electric lightbulbs, which are closely related, are not. We must not, at least, repeat the same mistake."
Despite the minister's stance, Chung, a former prime minister, refused to back down.
"If we fail to reach a consensus between different interest groups, the commission in the end will have to boldly act and make settlements. The commission will take the ultimate responsibility," he said.
