Lee Eonju Raises Caution on Establishing Ministry of Climate and Energy: "National Competitiveness Could Weaken"

Lee: "Overcoming the Climate Crisis Cannot Come at the Expense of Industrial Survival"

For the first time, a cautious stance has emerged within the ruling Democratic Party regarding the need to slow down the establishment of the Ministry of Climate and Energy, a key presidential campaign pledge of President Lee Jaemyung. Concerns have been raised that, amid intensifying global economic and security issues, the country could face worsening industrial hollowing-out and employment crises.

On August 11, during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Lee Eonju stated, "The National Policy Planning Committee is currently discussing a reorganization plan to either create a new Ministry of Climate and Energy by transferring the energy functions of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, or to move them to the Ministry of Environment. I ask that this discussion proceed with caution."

Lee pointed out, "With the end of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) era due to tariff wars and the sharpening of global supply chain and economic security issues, we are now facing a domestic crisis of industrial hollowing-out and employment instability."

Regarding the fact that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy had previously handled both energy and industrial functions, she explained, "This was because, given that our country relies entirely on imports for energy supply, we have learned from experience that energy supply is a matter of economic security." She stressed, "Rashly separating industry and energy could directly lead to a weakening of global industrial competitiveness and national competitiveness."

She continued, "While overcoming the climate crisis is extremely important, it cannot be done at the expense of our industrial survival or overcoming the employment crisis."

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Lee also said, "Even to overcome climate change and the climate crisis, regulation is inevitable," adding, "When regulatory measures and competitiveness enhancement strategies come into conflict, there must be checks and balances. But is it really possible for both checks and promotion to coexist within a single department?"

She further explained, "There is a risk that, in the process, not only efforts to overcome the climate crisis but also environmental protection itself could become ineffective as mere regulations. There is a possibility that neither will succeed, or, given the current reality, that our response to climate change itself could become meaningless."