Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Seoul Hosts the 7th Heads of Personnel Authorities Meeting of China, Japan and Korea from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1, 2015
Heads of personnel authorities of the three countries meet for the first time in five years and speak with one voice on enhancing expertise of public servants
The heads of personnel authorities of China, Japan and Korea share the need for enhancing expertise of public servants and gather together to discuss how to do it.
The Ministry of Personnel Management (MPM) and its Minister Lee Geun-myeon today announced that the 7th Heads of Personnel Authorities Meeting of China, Japan and Korea would be held at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul from August 31 to September 1, attended by Vice Minister Xin Changxing of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MoHRSS) of China and President Nahomi Ichimiya of the National Personnel Authority (NPA) of Japan. On August 31, the three nations had bilateral meetings with each other to lay the foundation for strengthening mutual cooperative relations among the three Northeast Asian countries. In the main meeting on September 1, the three heads will evaluate trilateral cooperative projects in personnel administration of the past five years, discuss how to continue the cooperation and sign the Memorandum of Cooperation on public personnel administration among the three countries.
After the meeting, a free discussion will be held on how to enhance expertise of public officials, which is likely to be the center of attention. During the discussion, the three heads will share the view that public servants with professional expertise can lead a nation to grow and develop in global competition and rapidly changing environments.
Minister of Personnel Management Lee Geun-myeon said that “a responsible administration can be achieved when public officials are fostered to become experts in each field.” He will introduce ways of strengthening public servants’ expertise: (1) Y-shape personnel management that includes professional-type and management-type; (2) expanding professional positions including international trade, cooperation and safety; (3) turning supportive functions including personnel and public relations into professional ones; and (4) extending the mandatory period of holding a position.
MoHRSS Vice Minister Xin Changxing of China emphasized the importance of individual education and training to enhance expertise of public officials. In the discussion, he will share (1) various education courses and methods for public servants, (2) stabilizing training costs through strict management, and (3) increasing the quality of education by providing customized training.
NPA President Ichimiya of Japan said that “expertise of public servants is divided into job management ability as a general administrator and professionalism in a specific area.” She will explain (1) giving opportunities to enhance ability for each grade, (2) fostering staff working in international relations, (3) personnel placement and management based on fair performance assessment, and (4) evaluation of various work experiences in other agencies.
In 2002, Korea proposed to China and Japan establishing a trilateral network in personnel administration. As a result, Seoul hosted the first Heads of Personnel Authorities Meeting of China, Japan and Korea in 2005, where the Memorandum of Understanding on public personnel administration among the three countries was signed. The meeting has not been held since 2010 due to circumstances in each country, but this year it will be held for the first time since the MPM was established and is expected to renew tripartite cooperation in personnel administration.
“Enhancing expertise of public officials will lay the groundwork for increasing government competitiveness and restoring public trust,” Minister Lee said. “I hope this year’s meeting can provide our three neighboring countries in Northeast Asia with an opportunity to lead the development of the Asia Pacific region.”
The Heads of Personnel Authorities Meeting is planned to be hosted by Korea, followed by Japan and China, and the 8th Meeting will take place in Japan in 2019.