NPM Reform and the Legacy of
Developmental State in KOREA
Han, Chonghee
(The Korea Institute of Public Administration, South Korea)
1. The Research Question
Can Kim Dae Jung administration use the concepts of the
NPM to actually lead to successful administrative reforms?
2. The Thesis
The usefulness of NPM reforms in the government is slight
at best
3. The Argument
In explaining the limited applicability of the NPM reforms in
the Korean government an emphasis should be on the legacy
of the developmental state within the bureaucratic elite
4. An Overview on The Developmental and The Liberal State
State
Developmental
Liberal
Nature of the State
Paternalistic, Sacred
Competitive, Secular
State-Society
Relations
State Dominance
Society (Market)
Dominance
Interest Emphasis
State-led Economic
Development
(Collectivism)
Market-driven Economic
Development
(Individual Liberty)
Role of the State in
Market
Guide (Protection, Support)
Referee (Fair Competition)
Power Orientation in
Bureaucracy
Centralized with Powerful Pilot
Agency
Decentralized without
Powerful Pilot Agency
5. Summary of Reform Effects
Reform
Official Results
20% Retrenchment of Staff
8 SOEs Privatized
Increase the Size of Powerful
Ministries
Keep indirect influence
23 Agencies Changed Legal
Status
Exclude Powerful Agencies
Keep Controlling Power
129 Positions Opened
Exclude Key Positions
Only 15% more Civilians
Recruited
Reorgarnization
Executive
Agency
Open Position
Bureaucrasts’ Response
* Source : Reorganized from Im(2003), Table 3,P.96.
6. For Successful Administration Reforms
1) To build Managerial capacity and confidence
2) To engage the Public in businesslike practices in government
3) To construct robust market