"Inevitable Policy Linkage...
Personnel Exchanges Must Also Be Expanded"
Moon Shinhak, the First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated on June 11, "Climate and energy policy is inseparable from industrial and trade policy," signaling close cooperation with the soon-to-be-established Ministry of Climate and Energy.
During a press conference held immediately after his inauguration, Vice Minister Moon emphasized, "There has never been a case where climate and energy policy has been pursued independently, without being connected to industry and trade. Regardless of how the organizational restructuring is carried out, the two ministries will have no choice but to cooperate."
Regarding concerns raised among some staff within the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy ahead of the separation and launch of the Ministry of Climate and Energy, he said, "We will more actively utilize personnel exchanges to increase mutual understanding between the two ministries." He added, "In the past, ministries that required close policy coordination have made good use of the personnel system, and the fields of climate and energy, as well as industry and trade, should follow this example."
When asked whether it is necessary to separate the ministries, he replied, "The National Policy Planning Committee will begin full discussions on the organizational restructuring. The decision to make this a policy pledge was made after much deliberation, and it was a judgment aimed at policy effectiveness and national economic development." He continued, "Since the National Policy Planning Committee has not yet been launched, it is too early to state a concrete position."
Asked whether there were any instructions from the President, he explained, "After the appointment announcement yesterday (the 10th), I received hundreds of messages and did not even have time to meet the President. I have not yet received any separate message."
Regarding concerns that civil servants may be disadvantaged during each government transition, he said, "I have some ideas (to dispel these concerns), but they are not yet fully developed. I will discuss with staff and review feasible measures first." He emphasized, "The promise to ensure such things never happen again is a commitment that must be kept."
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