[2022 National Audit] Han Hwajin Responds to 'Ministry of Industry's Second Fiddle' Criticism: "Will Firmly Uphold Regulatory Role"

Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment, is responding to a lawmaker's question at the 2022 Ministry of Environment audit held at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the 4th.

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Han Hwajin, Minister of Environment, stated on the 4th that she will "firmly uphold the role of the regulatory department and strictly implement environmental policies" in response to criticisms that the Ministry of Environment is a so-called "second division (subordinate agency) of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy."

Minister Han made this remark during the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee's audit of the Ministry of Environment held at the Government Sejong Complex, responding to a question from Roh Woongrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked, "Are you aware that the Ministry of Environment is being criticized as the second division of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy?"

Rep. Roh criticized, "In May, you said you would conduct a task force for on-site response to environmental regulations, but it is unclear what this group does or whether it should be handled by the Ministry of Environment," adding, "You even promoted establishing a hotline with economic organizations to ease environmental regulations."

In response, Minister Han said, "There are sectors organized and operated by category, including with environmental organizations," and added, "We communicate with environmental organizations frequently."

Rep. Roh further questioned, "Did you have even one schedule with environmental organizations during your ministerial duties?" and reiterated, "This is why there is criticism that you are the second division of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy."

Minister Han emphasized, "Since companies are the sources of environmental pollutants, my actions were aimed at communication with companies to properly resolve environmental issues."

She added, "It was an effort to verify whether environmental regulations are properly functioning at the corporate sites responsible for improvements and whether there are any unreasonable regulations," and continued, "Now, a certain framework has been established, and we are in the process of consulting with environmental organizations to ensure the framework works well."