Sangui Chairman "Need to Pay More Attention to COVID-19 Affected Industries"... Minister of Industry "Overcome by Communicating with the Business Community"

Minister Moon Seung-wook of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Chairman Choi Tae-won of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry are taking a commemorative photo on the 12th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Minister Moon met with Chairman Choi to discuss the direction of industrial, trade, and energy policy implementation and to listen to the difficulties and suggestions of the business community. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Moon Seung-wook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met on the 12th and agreed on the need to support self-employed individuals who suffered damage due to COVID-19. They also reached a consensus on the importance of active communication between the public and private sectors during the recovery process.

Minister Moon visited the Chamber of Commerce as his first communication step with economic organizations after taking office and spoke with Chairman Choi. Chairman Choi said, "Even if the overall economy improves and recovers, it will take considerable time and care to heal the wounds of self-employed individuals affected by COVID-19," adding, "Among the Chamber’s member companies, it seems that self-employed and small business owners have suffered greater damage." He also urged, "I hope the government pays close attention and introduces new policies."

In response, Minister Moon said, "Small business owners are struggling a lot, and there are industries that need changes because they are in more difficult situations than before," adding, "We have made efforts to put out urgent fires, but we need to find more fundamental solutions through communication with the industry, and the industry should also make efforts for coexistence."

He continued, "If the Chamber proposes programs that help those who are more vulnerable adapt to new circumstances, I hope active collaboration will take place," emphasizing, "If good ideas are provided, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will strive to become the central axis in creating policies."

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook and Chairman Choi Tae-won of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry are meeting on the 12th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Minister Moon met with Chairman Choi to discuss the direction of industrial, trade, and energy policy implementation and to listen to the difficulties and suggestions of the business community. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Chairman Choi mentioned that there is a sentiment among some companies that achieving carbon neutrality is difficult. In response, Minister Moon said, "Since we are in a transition period, it is natural for company representatives and workers to be concerned," adding, "The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy should play a role in finding solutions, and we are thinking about this together."

During a subsequent closed-door meeting, discussions reportedly took place regarding the government’s direction for industrial, trade, and energy policies, as well as the difficulties and suggestions from the business community. Given the rapidly changing environment surrounding corporate management?including carbon neutrality, digital transformation, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, and global supply chain restructuring?the need for public-private cooperation has increased. The government has also decided to actively support sectors emerging as key industries on the international stage, such as semiconductors and batteries.