Kim Jeong-kwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy nominee, said on the 17th, "I will steadily promote nuclear power, which is crucial from an industrial perspective due to its importance in stabilizing energy prices, achieving carbon neutrality, and global exports, based on safety and acceptability."
On that day, Kim attended a personnel hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "I will thoroughly expand renewable energy by improving the location, power grid, and market system, and in the process, strengthen the competitiveness of domestic industries." He emphasized that both renewable energy and nuclear power would form the pillars of energy policy.
He noted, "We will innovate power infrastructure and systems, such as energy expressways, to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of the electricity market and resolve regional power imbalances," adding, "I will further support energy welfare to ensure basic energy utilization for climate-sensitive groups." He also stated, "In particular, I will thoroughly manage the electricity supply and demand issue this summer so that the public does not have to worry."
Kim also emphasized the need to expand exports and investments, which are the backbone of the Korean economy. He said, "Regarding U.S. tariff measures, I will implement practical trade policies aimed at maximizing national interests and broaden the global stage for our corporations through trade agreements and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit."
He added, "We will comprehensively innovate trade structures by developing new export markets and items and significantly expanding export infrastructure such as finance and marketing," and said, "We will hold an 'Industry and Trade Strategy Meeting' involving all related ministries, support agencies, and the industry to prepare comprehensive support measures."
He expressed his intention to support the wide application of artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial fields. Kim stated, "From a corporate perspective, we will reform the research and development system and develop next-generation technologies such as AI semiconductors and humanoids to strengthen the foundation for future innovation," adding, "We will respond to global uncertainties in core industries such as semiconductors and future vehicles and secure ultra-competitive advantages by expanding domestic investment and technology."
He also mentioned, "We will create opportunities for re-emergence in oversupplied industries such as petrochemicals and steel through swift business restructuring and transitioning to high value-added products."
Finally, Kim stated that he would also focus on the '5 Sectors and 3 Special' strategy, which was a promise of President Lee Jae-myung.
The '5 Sectors and 3 Special' strategy aims to transition the national development system concentrated in the metropolitan area into a multi-polar system. President Lee has stated that he intends to reorganize special local governments in five super-regions, including the metropolitan area, southeastern region, Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, central region, and Honam region, significantly transferring authority and functions, and to promote amendments to special laws to enhance autonomy and competitiveness in three special self-governing provinces: Jeju, Gangwon, and North Jeolla.
Kim said, "I will promote local investment by corporations through the establishment of RE100 industrial complexes, bold regulatory innovations, and incentives, and substantially achieve outcomes in regional industry cultivation and job creation by enhancing living conditions in education and healthcare through inter-ministerial cooperation."