Presidential Office Climate and Environment Tasks Transferred to 'Science and Technology Chief Office'... "Strengthening Scientific Approach"

"Strengthening Scientific Approaches to Climate and Environmental Issues"
"Scientific Solutions Essential for Carbon Emissions and Climate Change"

Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy Office at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on current issues at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office announced on the 10th that it has carried out an organizational restructuring to transfer the Climate and Environment Secretariat, which was previously under the Social Affairs Secretariat, to the Science and Technology Secretariat in order to strengthen the scientific approach to climate and environmental issues and ensure practical execution capabilities.

Seong Tae-yoon, the Policy Director of the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the morning of the same day and explained, "Climate and environment is a convergent field spanning science and technology, industry and economy, and society and culture, and the importance of science and technology is growing day by day."

Director Seong emphasized, "Scientific and technological solutions are essential for reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change," adding, "This organizational restructuring is also meaningful in that it prepares South Korea's future by simultaneously promoting decarbonization along with global agendas such as artificial intelligence and digital transformation."

He further stated, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration is making great efforts not only to respond to climate change but also to conserve the environment and improve the quality of citizens' living environments, striving to foster new industries through eco-friendly technological innovation, thereby making carbon neutrality implementation a new growth opportunity."

With this restructuring, the Presidential Office's Science and Technology Secretariat will consist of the Research and Development Innovation Secretary, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Secretary, Advanced Bio Secretary, and Climate and Environment Secretary.

A Presidential Office official explained regarding the Future Strategy Secretary’s Office, which was originally planned to be established under the Science and Technology Secretariat, that "(the Climate and Environment Secretariat) does not replace it," and that "it is under review."