Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Industry Nominee, "Promoting Rational Energy Policy... Will Link Industry and Trade"

Lee Chang-yang, nominee for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is attending a press conference on the afternoon of the 10th at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the appointment of ministerial candidates for eight ministries of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration was announced, responding to reporters' questions. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Lee Chang-yang, nominated as the first Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, emphasized the need for a rational energy policy.

On the 10th, Lee expressed in his statement upon his nomination as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, "I will pursue a rational and practical energy policy." This is interpreted as his intention to reorganize the energy mix (the composition ratio by power source) in line with President-elect Yoon's emphasis on scrapping the 'nuclear phase-out' policy.

Lee said, "I feel a heavy responsibility being nominated as the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, which oversees the real economy, at a critical time when concerns about economic recession are growing and the global business environment is rapidly changing." He added, "I will design industrial policies to enable our economy to leap forward during this great transition period marked by carbon transition and intensified global hegemony competition." He also stated, "I will communicate with companies like partners and reform regulations to secure future growth engines," and "I will maintain industrial competitiveness through support for technological innovation."

Lee also hinted at the importance of trade affairs. He said, "I will support industrial competitiveness by linking industry and trade in response to the new trade order." Amid the ongoing turf war between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over trade functions, there is analysis that the current arrangement of placing the trade organization under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is likely to be maintained.