After Declaring Carbon Neutrality to the World, Moon Entrusts Key Responsibilities to the Ministry of Industry

President Moon Jae-in presiding over the 2050 Carbon Neutrality Inter-Ministerial Strategy Meeting at the Blue House on the 27th. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] On the 27th, President Moon Jae-in announced to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy that "a dedicated Vice Minister for Energy will be established," drawing attention to the reorganization of the ministry.

Within the ministry, there is a welcoming atmosphere, believing that this will strengthen the momentum for promoting energy transition policies and play a significant role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Previously, during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2005, a multiple vice minister system was implemented, creating a second vice minister position, which disappeared during the Moon Jae-in administration, while a Trade Negotiation Headquarters (at vice minister level) dedicated to trade affairs was established.

Under the two vice minister system, the first vice minister was responsible for industry and trade sectors, and the second vice minister handled energy and trade sectors respectively. Currently, the energy sector is managed by the Energy Resources Office under Vice Minister Park Jin-gyu.

Currently, the structure consists of Vice Minister Park - Director General Joo Young-jun of the Energy Resources Office - 4 bureaus (Energy Innovation Policy Bureau, Resource Industry Policy Bureau, Nuclear Power Industry Policy Bureau, Renewable Energy Policy Division) - and 17 department heads. If the Vice Minister for Energy is established, the number of offices and bureaus may increase beyond the current 1 office and 4 bureaus system.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which had been stagnant due to the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit and prosecution investigation related to Wolsong Unit 1, is cautiously optimistic about the news of the establishment of a vice minister-level position.

To establish a vice minister position, consultations with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety are required, followed by amendments to regulations. A ministry official said, "It may take several months for procedures such as revising the Government Organization Act and enforcement decree, organizing personnel, and securing budget," adding, "It is difficult to predict who and when will be appointed as vice minister."

Previously, the Trade Security Policy Officer, a team of about 30 people established in response to Japan's export regulations in July last year, was created on April 28 this year, about 10 months after the export restrictions by Japan. Within the government, it is expected that the establishment of the Energy Vice Minister and the reorganization of the ministry will proceed faster than this.