Lee advances schedule for ministerial policy briefings By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's government has decided to advance the
schedule for its 22 ministries' yearly policy briefings to President Lee
Myung-bak by approximately one month in a bid to implement its economic stimulus
measures as soon as possible, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Friday.
"Government ministries have usually reported their annual policy plans to the
president between January and February. In consideration of the economic crisis,
however, 12 of the 22 ministries will complete the presidential policy briefings
this month," presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan told reporters.
"The remaining ministries will report their 2009 policy plans during January. The
advanced schedule is also related to the government's plan to front-load fiscal
spending in the first half," said the spokesman.
He explained the detailed briefing schedule will be finalized after the National
Assembly approves the government's 2009 budget bill. The Ministry of Strategy and
Finance on Thursday announced a plan to use 60 percent of its annual fiscal
spending in the first half, as part of its efforts to revitalize the slumping
real economy.
"The Ministry of Strategy and Finance and other ministries in charge of early
fiscal spending, economic stimulus measures and creation of job opportunities
will report their policy plans for next year to President Lee during December,"
said the spokesman.
"Due to a tight schedule, groups of ministries sharing similar policy goals will
together report to the president," he said, noting policy briefings by the
foreign affairs, defense and unification ministries are scheduled for January.
ycm@yna.co.kr
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