By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun urged President-elect Lee Myung-bak to sign his government reorganization bill himself after his inauguration on Feb. 25.
Roh Monday told reporters at Cheong Wa Dae that he was unwilling to sign into law the bill initiated by President-elect Lee's transition team.
Stressing that the plan runs counter to the philosophy of the incumbent administration, Roh said, ``I suggest the next President sign the government reorganization bill by himself. I'm not going to sign the bill.''
He did not rule out the possibility that the incumbent Cabinet may endorse the bill if the National Assembly passes a ``revised'' version.
There are three scenarios for the incoming administration to reorganize the government, following Roh's comments.
Firstly, the National Assembly may pass the bill but Roh will delay signing it into law. In such a case, Lee will endorse the bill after his inauguration and the appointment of Cabinet members.
Secondly, President Roh may veto the bill and the Lee administration will be launched without Cabinet members until the general elections on April 9. In June, the new National Assembly will review the bill again. This entails a government vacuum of more than four months ― something unprecedented in the country's history.
Thirdly, the Assembly will be unable to pass the reorganization bill. In such a case, Lee will name only key ministers or run the government with vice ministers before downsizing the administration after the general elections.
Under any of these circumstances, the incoming administration could be handicapped.
President-elect Lee didn't comment on Roh's remarks, Lee's spokesman Joo Ho-young said.
But the Presidential Transition Committee and the conservative Grand National Party (GNP) criticized Roh for not cooperating with the next President.
``We don't understand why President Roh is desperately obstructing the efforts for a fresh start by a new government. It may stem from his arrogance and self-righteousness,'' transition team spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said.
Asked why the he indicated the possibility of vetoing the bill even before the National Assembly hands over the bill to the Cabinet, Roh said, ``I believe my negative views about the bill will influence the Assembly in reviewing the plan.''
Roh said he wanted the Assembly to produce a ``rational'' bill through a consensus, instead of passing it in its current form.
``If the current bill is endorsed, Korea will face hurdles in the development of science and technology, and balanced regional development will be totally blocked,'' he said.
The transition team has said it will close down five of 18 ministries and two of four ministry-level agencies, cutting 7,000 civil servant jobs through attrition as part of its creation of a ``small, efficient and pragmatic administration.'' Roh said he has not pursued a ``big'' government as is alleged by the committee.