Presidential office mulls lifting ban on officials' golf outings

SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office is considering lifting
restrictions on civil servants' golf outings and other "luxurious" activities in
an effort to boost their morale, an official said Sunday.
Since the inauguration of the Lee Myung-bak administration, government officials
have been urged to refrain from playing golf -- considered a luxurious sport here
-- taking overseas trips, having extravagant drinking parties and engaging in
other lavish activities.
"We have reported to the president ways of boosting the civil servants' morale,
which include slackening regulations," an official related to the plan said
Sunday, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media
about the issue.
President Lee himself is considering playing golf during his summer vacation in
early August or on other occasions, he said.
South Korea, a traditionally Confucian country that values frugality, has high
ethical standards set for national leaders and public officials.
Many high-ranking government officials, including former Prime Minister Lee
Hae-chan, were forced to step down in the past amid criticism for taking lavish
overseas golf trips or engaging in other activities seen as unsuitable for their
posts.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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