Ministry of Industry's Bill to Establish 'Energy Vice Minister' Passes National Assembly

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The amendment to the Government Organization Act, which includes the establishment of a dedicated Vice Minister for Energy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, passed the National Assembly on the 29th.

The amendment will take effect one month after the law is promulgated, and as early as the end of next month or early August, a dedicated Vice Minister for Energy will be established, transforming the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy into a massive organization with a three-Vice Minister system. The energy transition policy is also expected to gain momentum.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to create a reorganization plan related to energy in consultation with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Currently, under the Vice Minister for Energy, there are four bureaus: the Energy Innovation Policy Bureau, Resource Industry Policy Bureau, Nuclear Power Industry Policy Bureau, and New and Renewable Energy Policy Division. In addition, it is likely that two new bureaus will be established: the Hydrogen Economy Policy Bureau, dedicated to the hydrogen economy, and the Power Innovation Policy Bureau, aimed at system innovation in the power sector, which is key to carbon neutrality. Approximately 3 to 5 new director-level positions are also expected to be assigned.

For the first Vice Minister for Energy in the current administration, the internal promotion of Joo Young-jun, the current Director General of the Energy Resources Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is being discussed.

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