The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Gov't, ruling party, presidential office pledge closer cooperation

By 윤민식

Published : March 30, 2013 - 16:52

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Senior officials from the government, the presidential office and the ruling Saenuri Party called in unison for closer cooperation with each other Saturday as they held a workshop to discuss ways to make the new administration of President Park Geun-hye successful.

"All of us are in the same boat," Prime Minister Chung Hong-won said during the workshop at a training center for civil servants in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul. "If the government becomes successful and wins praises, credits will go to all of us. All of us should combine our strength."

Chung also called for legislative support from the ruling party so that the government can realize its key policy visions, saying the administration would be like "a car with flat tires" unless it has legislative backing.

More than 70 people attended the workshop, including 15 government ministers and 37 ruling party leaders, such as party chief Hwang Woo-yea and floor leader Lee Hahn-koo, as well as presidential chief of staff Huh Tae-yeol and all nine senior presidential secretaries.

The session was organized to boost their cooperation over the new administration's policies and projects.

Ruling party chief Hwang Woo-yea said the party and the presidential office have agreed to hold a meeting on a regular basis to coordinate stances on pending issues.

Hwang said that the party, the government and the presidential office should always maintain unity and conduct deep coordination and consultation from the beginning on all issues that carry national interest and are on budgetary issues.

"Different views should be respected and confusion should be prevented," he said.

Presidential chief of staff Huh also called for closer cooperation, stressing that no issues related to legislation and the budget can be resolved without support from the party and the National Assembly. He also said that a successful president and government would also be key to the ruling party winning various elections. (Yonhap News)