Gov't to Expand Citizens' Participation in Policymaking

Citizens will be able to participate more in policymaking, while more women will be appointed as high-level officials in government and at public organizations, according to the government, Monday.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, along with other related ministries, announced a road map for government innovation, Monday, with the goal to achieve people-centered state management.

"The top goal of this innovation is to restore the public character of the government, to establish a government that exists for the people," Moon said at a meeting with officials of the ministries.

As part of the projects for the goal, the central and local governments will guarantee more participation of citizens in drawing up budgets and monitoring their spending. The government will also reflect people's opinions more in establishing laws for issues that draw much public attention.

To enhance women's participation in policymaking, the government plans to fill 10 percent of high-ranking government positions, 20 percent of such positions at public organizations, and 40 percent of the members at government committees with women by 2022. The ratios are now 6.1 percent, 11.8 percent and 37.8 percent, respectively.

For better quality of life, the government plans to spend more on projects protecting human rights, social minorities, and the environment as well as strengthening safety.

Public organizations will share their facilities with citizens by setting up online systems with which people can make a reservation for meeting rooms, auditoriums and parking lots at government and public organization buildings. Old public organization buildings will be...