On the 21st, Kim Jeong-kwan, the new Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "We will improve the market, infrastructure, and regulations to actively expand renewable energy."
In his inaugural speech that day, he noted, "By expanding renewable energy, we will enhance our capacity to respond to climate change and achieve energy independence, and let's strengthen the domestic industrial ecosystem through domestic production, technology development, and demonstration of renewable energy facilities."
Regarding nuclear power, he said, "As its importance is increasingly rising in terms of energy price stability, achieving carbon neutrality, and global exports, we will promote it without interruption, based on safety and acceptability."
He emphasized, "In response to rapidly changing power demand and supply conditions, we must expand power infrastructure such as energy expressways and quickly innovate the power system."
Minister Kim also argued that we need to grow our key industries faster than our competitors based on the principles of selection and concentration.
He said to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy staff, "In negotiations to respond to U.S. tariffs and global protectionism, as well as in the process of expanding global networks such as free trade agreements (FTAs), please do your best to maximize national interest and resolve uncertainties for corporations."
He went on, "Let's become a capable Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy that manages and resolves the challenges faced by export and investment corporations until the end," adding, "Let's unite with relevant ministries, related institutions, and industries to make innovations in trade structures and realize a $1 trillion export era."
Minister Kim also urged, "In the rapidly changing global competitive landscape due to the AI revolution and the energy revolution, our corporations must develop the capabilities to take the lead," saying, "Let's enhance industrial productivity and added value and work to resolve structural issues."
He stated, "Next-generation technologies such as AI and humanoids should create an environment where we can boldly challenge without fear of failure, and in key industries like semiconductors and future cars, let's support securing super-gap competitiveness."
He added, "In industries suffering from structural oversupply, such as petrochemicals and steel, let's prepare for a fresh start through proactive business restructuring and conversion to high-value products."
Minister Kim further urged his staff, "To make the $1 trillion export era a reality, relevant ministries, related institutions, and industries must unite." He added, "The capable Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy must manage and resolve the challenges faced by export and investment corporations until the end."