Kim Jung-gwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy nominee, said on the 17th, "I am fully aware of how sensitive the issue of agricultural and livestock market opening is. The negotiation team for the United States will also keep this in mind and have ample discussions with relevant ministries."
On that day, Kim noted at the National Assembly personnel hearing regarding the pressure from the U.S. to "open the agricultural market."
He said, "When I first started as a public servant, there was the Uruguay Round negotiations, and I vividly remember how much difficulty farmers and ranchers faced at that time."
He continued, "While I am not directly involved in the tariff negotiations, I am receiving reports. I have the perception that this is a truly serious time when all possibilities are open."
In response to a question asking him to reveal his vision for energy policy, he answered, "I believe it is most desirable for a mix of all energy sources, including renewable energy, nuclear power, and hydrogen, to be realistically harmonized."
He also stated that he would consistently advance the 11th Basic Plan for Power Supply and Demand (electricity basic plan) confirmed by the Yoon Suk-yeol government. The 11th electricity basic plan includes the expansion of renewable energy such as solar power, wind power, and hydrogen, along with the construction of two new nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs).