Industry minister stresses policy implementation in meeting with key agency chiefs

Minister of Industry and Trade Kim Jung-kwan speaks during a meeting with industry ministry-affiliated agency chiefs in central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with the heads of key industry ministry-affiliated agencies on Friday and asked for their cooperation to thoroughly implement the government's key policy priorities.

"Close cooperation with affiliated agencies is crucial for the Ministry of Trade and Industry to successfully accomplish the government's five policy priorities," Kim said during the meeting held in central Seoul, as he noted changes following the government's reorganization that took effect on Oct. 1.

Under the reorganization, the energy departments of the industry ministry, as well as 21 government-affiliated agencies, have been transferred to the new energy ministry for the first time in 32 years.

Its name also changed from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Kim ordered the agency heads to restructure their organizations to successfully accomplish the government's five key initiatives, including an artificial intelligence (AI)-based transformation in the manufacturing sector and strengthening of economic security and trade capabilities.

He also addressed the recent string of hacking incidents, calling for a comprehensive review of cybersecurity-related protocols.