Prime Minister Jeong Visits Ministry of Industry Under 'Wolseong Investigation' Telling Them to "Hold Your Head High"

"Recently, heartache is unfortunate... Do not shrink back"
Visited Ministry of Industry to encourage proactive administration... "Prime Minister supports"
Indirect checks on Audit Board and Prosecution pointed out... Prosecution criticism also at meeting
Ministry of Industry "Sincerely welcomes the visit of our eternal senior"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at 3:10 p.m. on the 25th. At the 3rd-floor lounge of Building 13-1 in the government Sejong complex, Prime Minister Chung presented the Active Administration plates to Lee Ho-jun, Director of Planning and Coordination, and the heads of 10 outstanding departments in active administration, in the presence of Minister Sung Yun-mo, Chief Negotiator Yoo Myung-hee, Vice Minister Park Jin-gyu, and ministry staff. He also handed appointment letters to representatives of 22 newly appointed administrative officers. Afterwards, he toured the offices on the 5th floor, including the Materials, Resources, and Energy divisions, and encouraged the employees.
(Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visited the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 25th and said, "I ask public officials to act with conviction and engage in proactive administration." Some suggest that this was an indirect expression of dissatisfaction regarding the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 and the subsequent prosecution investigation.

Earlier, on the 20th of last month, the Board of Audit and Inspection announced the results of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant audit, stating that "(the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) unreasonably undervalued the economic feasibility and deleted 444 documents to obstruct the audit." Following this, the prosecution launched an investigation.

Prime Minister Chung said, "I know you have been going through a lot of emotional distress recently, and I have been very sorry and worried," adding, "But I am confident that you will overcome this well."

He continued, "Do not shrink back; straighten your shoulders and continue to move forward with confidence," giving a special order.

On that day, he personally toured the department in charge of nuclear power. In front of the nuclear power department, he said, "You have handled very difficult tasks and worked hard. Thank you for your efforts."

In front of the Nuclear Power Export Division, he encouraged, "You should make a deal; try to do something." He added, "I have tried to make a deal while traveling abroad, but it still hasn't worked out. Please do well."

Some interpret Prime Minister Chung’s remarks as being mindful of the Board of Audit and Inspection’s audit and the prosecution’s investigation.

Earlier, on the 10th, at a press conference marking his 300th day in office, Prime Minister Chung said about the prosecution investigation, "It is like pouring cold water on the proactive administrative efforts of public officials."

Meanwhile, he presented 'Proactive Administration Plates' to 10 departments, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Mid-sized Enterprise Policy Division, which contributed to fostering the materials, parts, and equipment industry, responding to COVID-19, the jar-shaped economy, and hydrogen economy activation. He also awarded appointment letters to newly appointed officials.

At this event, Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "The role of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is becoming increasingly important for the transition to a carbon-neutral society, industrial digital transformation, and responding to the rapidly changing trade environment."

He added, "I ask the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to take the lead in practicing proactive administration to create a government that empowers the people and an environment favorable to business."

Prime Minister Chung encouraged, "I ask public officials to fully express their aspirations for the future of the Republic of Korea through proactive administration," and said, "As Prime Minister, I will support this."

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy employees greeted him with enthusiastic applause as he entered the venue.

The Ministry created and demonstrated a video featuring major events attended by Prime Minister Chung during his tenure as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, with the message, "We sincerely welcome our eternal senior, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun’s visit to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy."

Prime Minister Chung served as the 9th Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy from February 2006 to January of the following year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.