Kim Sung-hwan on Organizational Restructuring: "No Proposal to Keep the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy As Is"

Two Directions for the Ministry of Climate and Energy Discussed
"Request for Swift Finalization of Government Policy"

Kim Sung-hwan, the new Minister of Environment, stated on July 22 that two proposals regarding the possible establishment of a Ministry of Climate and Energy are currently being discussed by the National Policy Planning Committee.

During a meeting with reporters at the Government Sejong Complex that afternoon, Minister Kim was asked about the direction of the organizational restructuring. He explained, "One proposal is to merge the Energy Vice Minister's Office from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy with the Ministry of Environment to create a tentatively named 'Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy.' The other proposal is to combine the Climate Policy Division of the Ministry of Environment with the Energy Vice Minister's Office from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to establish a separate 'Ministry of Climate and Energy.'"

Minister Kim clarified, "The National Policy Planning Committee has narrowed it down to these two proposals." He added, "There is no third option. The committee is currently consulting with the Presidential Office on the first and second proposals," and emphasized, "There is no proposal that would keep the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as it is."

Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan Answering Reporters' Questions
(Sejong=Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jaeman = Kim Sung-hwan, the new Minister of Environment, held his first meeting with the press corps at the Ministry of Environment press room in the Government Sejong Complex on July 22, 2025.
scoop@yna.co.kr (End)

Minister Kim said, "It is not yet at a stage where I can speak definitively," but added, "This is not an issue that should be dragged out. I plan to request that the government finalize its policy as soon as possible."

He further explained, "Since the Government Organization Act must be revised due to the restructuring, it will take some time," and added, "Finalizing the government's policy will help resolve the instability caused by this issue."