I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
New science ministry to have 2 vice ministers
By Kang Hyun-kyung
The presidential transition team announced the detailed plan to restructure Cabinet ministries, Wednesday, in a follow-up measure of the government overhaul plan unveiled last week.
The Ministry of Future Creation and Science will have two vice ministers that will respectively be in charge of science-related affairs and information, technology and communication affairs, deputy transition committee chief Chin Young said.
During a news conference, Chin said, under the proposed plan, all functions related to information technology and communications will be consolidated under the science ministry and vice minister will be tapped to handle these affairs.
Trade affairs will be transferred to the Ministry for Industry and Trade. Trade negotiations and coordination function under the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be transferred to the trade ministry.
Bilateral and multilateral accord affairs will remain in the foreign ministry as these functions need expertise on diplomacy, Chin said.
The Prime Minister’s Office will take over what the Ministry of Special Affairs had done as the ministry is to be scrapped. The special minister was responsible for facilitating communications between the government and opposition parties.