NPM Reform and the Legacy of

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NPM Reform and the Legacy of Developmental State
in KOREA
Han, Chonghee (The Korea Institute of Public
Administration, South Korea)
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1. The Research Question
Can Kim Dae Jung administration use the
concepts of the NPM to actually lead to
successful administrative reforms?
2. The Thesis
The usefulness of NPM reforms in the
government is slight at best
3. The Argument
In explaining the limited applicability of
the NPM reforms in the Korean government an
emphasis should be on the legacy of the
developmental state within the bureaucratic elite
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4. An Overview on The Developmental and The
Liberal State
State Developmental Liberal
Nature of the State Paternalistic, Sacred Competitive, Secular
State-Society Relations State Dominance Society (Market) Dominance
Interest Emphasis State-led Economic Development (Collectivism) Market-driven Economic Development (Individual Liberty)
Role of the State in Market Guide (Protection, Support) Referee (Fair Competition)
Power Orientation in Bureaucracy Centralized with Powerful Pilot Agency Decentralized without Powerful Pilot Agency
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5. Summary of Reform Effects
Reform Official Results Bureaucrasts Response
Reorgarnization 20 Retrenchment of Staff 8 SOEs Privatized Increase the Size of Powerful Ministries Keep indirect influence
Executive Agency 23 Agencies Changed Legal Status Exclude Powerful Agencies Keep Controlling Power
Open Position 129 Positions Opened Exclude Key Positions Only 15 more Civilians Recruited
Source Reorganized from Im(2003), Table
3,P.96.
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6. For Successful Administration Reforms
1) To build Managerial capacity and
confidence 2) To engage the Public in
businesslike practices in government 3) To
construct robust market