April 29 2008
Amman, Jordan
DoHoon KIM
Senior Research Fellow
Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade
I
Historical Review of Regulatory
Reform Committee
II
Major Vocations of RRC
III Reviews of Regulations
IV Composition of the RRC
V
Major Achievements Made by RRC
I. Historical Review of Regulatory Reform Committee
Established in 1998
Korea was suffering from Asian Financial Crisis
Korea was forced to undertake tough reform packages recommended
by IMF and others such as financial sector reform, corporate
restructuring, labor market reform and public sector reform
Regulatory reform was regarded as an important part of those reform
packages
Based upon the Basic Act on Administrative Regulations
Enabled the RRC to continue to play its full-scale role under three
different governments since its establishment
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I. Historical Review of Regulatory Reform Committee
At its start, the RRC put its full effort into reducing the existing
number of regulations
As a result, from 1998 to 2002, the number of regulations was
reduced by more than 50% (out of 11,125, 5,998 were removed
and 2,981 were rationalized)
Since 2002, the RRC re-oriented its policy focus towards
improving regulatory environments
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II. Major Vocations of RRC
Setting the basic direction of regulatory policy
Evaluating existing regulations, drafting and executing regulatory
reform plan
Obtaining and responding to public opinions on regulatory
improvement
Reviewing new and amended (strengthened) regulations
Monitoring and evaluating the regulatory improvement efforts of
regulatory bodies
Promoting and advocating regulatory reform to government
bodies as well as to the public
3
III. How are Reviews of Regulations Undergone through RRC?
Phase 1 : Introduction of Regulations
Regulatory bodies should provide following elements to the RRC
- necessity of introducing new regulations or of amending
existing ones
- examining alternatives to regulatory proposals
- consultation with other relevant administrative bodies
- publicizing regulatory impact analysis
Phase 2 : RRC's First Action
Collecting opinions of affected interested parties
Collecting opinions of other relevant administrative bodies
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III. Reviews of Regulations: continued
Phase 3 : Review by RRC
appropriateness of regulatory objectives
regulatory impact on citizens and business
Phase 4 : Legislative Procedure
Regulatory bodies are forced to reflect the results of RRC's review
before submitting the final draft to the parliament
Phase 5 : Registration of Regulations
Regulatory bodies should register regulations to the RRC within 30
days after their proclamation
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IV. Composition of the RRC
Co-chaired by the prime minister and a private-sector expert
Members : 23 persons
6 ministers: Minister of Strategy and Finance, Minister of Public
Administrations and Security, Minister of Knowledge Economy,
Minister of the Office of Prime Minister, Chairman of Korea Fair
Trade Commission, Minister of Government Legislation
8 professors
4 business representatives
4 representatives of the press and NGOs
1 lawyer
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IV. Composition of the RRC: continued
3 Sub-committees for intensive review meetings
Sub-committee on economy 1: to review regulatory proposals from
12 regulatory bodies including the ministry of strategy and finance
Sub-committee on economy 2: to review regulatory proposals from
8 regulatory bodies including the ministry for food, agriculture,
forest and fisheries
Sub-committee on administrative and social affairs: to review
regulatory proposals from 20 regulatory bodies including the
ministry of education, science and technology
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V. Major Achievements Made by RRC
Conducted a Comprehensive Regulatory Reform through a
Quantitative Approach under Kim Dai Jung Government
Continues to Review New and Amended Regulations
Promotes and Advocates the Importance of Regulatory Reform
Introduced the Regulatory Impact Analysis
Participated in International Regulatory Meetings Actively
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