President Park has made clear that the new science ministry will be her vital tool to turn Korea into a trendsetter from a follower.
President Park wants the ministry to be in charge of enacting and enforcing regulations concerning broad sectors including basic science, technology and information, as it identifies new growth engines involving various sectors of science and technology.
That way, the new ministry could make fast and efficient policy decisions.
The main opposition Democratic United Party has agreed to most of the roles the science ministry will play but maintains the Korea Communications Commission must continue overseeing the broadcasting sector.
The opposition says bestowing broadcasting oversight to the new ministry will create a Big Brother that will hamper media neutrality and fairness.
The question is will the new science ministry be an empty shell .like President Park suggests .if it does not have the authority to enact and amend laws for the broadcasting industry?
The DUP disagreessaying the broadcasting industry takes up just three-percent of the overall information and communications sectorsso even if broadcasting oversight remains in the hands of the communications commission, it will not significantly affect the role of the new ministry.
Under a compromise proposal on Monday by the opposition party, all functions concerning the Internet Protocol Television industry will be transferred to the science ministrywhile leaving satellite broadcasting oversight to the communications commission.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.

Reporter : jiyeonkim@arirang.co.kr