How will new gov't reshape ministries?

Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung gives a speech during a final campaign rally in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps

With Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) clinching the presidency, a significant reshaping of the country’s political and administrative landscape now appears imminent.

Signaling a departure from conventional approaches, Lee is expected to embark on a campaign of ambitious reforms, potentially establishing new ministries or overhauling existing ones, with particular emphasis on addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, artificial intelligence (AI) and gender equality.

A cornerstone of the president-elect's nascent agenda is his pledge to create a dedicated ministry to confront the climate crisis. This move represents a significant policy pivot, indicating a heightened strategic commitment to environmental stewardship and energy transition within Korea's national governance.

The proposed new ministry will consolidate energy-related functions from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy with climate-related responsibilities from the Ministry of Environment, aiming to deliver a more comprehensive and coordinated response to the climate crisis.

Throughout his campaign, Lee emphasized that the climate crisis is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of economic stability, public health and human rights — all related to human survival.

Although many politicians have called for a centralized body to lead the nation’s climate response, Korea’s climate policy has largely remained siloed under environmental frameworks, hindering cross-sectoral efforts.

The country’s slow transition to renewable energy has been blamed for eroding industrial competitiveness, while climate disasters — such as floods, droughts and wildfires — continue to hit marginalized communities.

As the new administration takes office, it faces growing pressure to implement integrated, future-oriented policies that address the complex challenges of the climate crisis.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance is also expected to undergo restructuring, with plans to separate its budgetary functions into an independent body.

One key proposal under discussion calls for dividing the ministry into two separate entities — one responsible for economic and financial policy and the other focused on planning and budgeting.

The idea gained traction during Lee’s presidential campaign when he argued that overlapping responsibilities have blurred the lines between financial oversight and budget management, calling for clearer organization.

Currently, the Financial Services Commission handles domestic financial policy, while the finance ministry oversees international finance. The commission also plays a dual role — both setting policy and supervising financial institutions.

A Ministry of Gender Equality and Family sign at Government Complex Seoul / Yonhap

Another ministry expected to undergo changes under the new administration is the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which has remained in limbo for 15 months following the resignation of former Minister Kim Hyun-sook in February last year.

Lee has pledged to not only retain the ministry but also expand and reorganize it, mentioning gender equality as a core pillar of a more inclusive and sustainable society. He emphasized that the ministry should function as a control tower for promoting equal rights and opportunities across all demographics, while also addressing concerns over reverse discrimination.

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s push to abolish the gender ministry — a central pledge of his 2022 presidential campaign — stalled amid strong resistance from the then-majority DPK. After the gender minister resigned over the fallout from the poorly organized 25th World Scout Jamboree — marred by extreme heat, inadequate facilities and a mass withdrawal of participants — Yoon left the post vacant, plunging the ministry’s future into uncertainty for over a year.

With the new administration set to take office, attention is now focused on how the ministry will be reshaped and what role it will play.

Lee has also pledged to create a new chief secretary position for AI policies, underscoring his commitment to advancing cutting-edge technology.

Meanwhile, there are expectations that sweeping government restructuring may not happen immediately.

Like former President Moon Jae-in, Lee will take office immediately, without the usual 60-day transition period. Under Korea’s Public Official Election Act, a president elected through a by-election assumes office as soon as the National Election Commission certifies the result.

Additionally, any major overhaul of government ministries would require amending the Government Organization Act, a process that must pass through the National Assembly.

Given these constraints, the new administration is expected to start with modest role adjustments rather than a sweeping reorganization.