"Concerns Over Weakened Status of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy"... Calls Surge for Strengthening AI, Trade, and Security Functions in Manufacturing

Minister Kim Jeong-Kag Hosts All-Staff Town Hall Meeting
On-Site Proposals Include Abolishing Formal Reporting and Refraining from After-Hours Contact

Kim Jeong-Kag, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is giving an opening remark at the Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Korea meeting held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th. 2025.09.24 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Following the recent government reorganization, concerns about the diminished status of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and calls for expanded functions have come to the forefront within the ministry. As employees increasingly voice the need to significantly strengthen core functions such as the AI transformation of manufacturing, U.S.-related investment and trade policy, and economic and industrial security, the ministry has officially begun efforts to innovate its organizational culture.

On November 25, the ministry held a "town hall meeting for all employees" at the main auditorium of the Government Complex Sejong, with more than 500 staff members from the headquarters and affiliated organizations in attendance. This event, the first of its kind since Minister Kim Jeong-Kag took office, was organized to redefine the role of the newly restructured ministry and discuss ways to invigorate the organization.

During the meeting, the ministry released the results of an anonymous survey on organizational culture, in which about 220 staff members from the headquarters and affiliated agencies participated. The survey revealed that the most significant concern among employees was the weakened status of the ministry after the reorganization. To restore this, respondents indicated that redefining roles is necessary, specifically citing: ▲AI transformation of manufacturing (30%), ▲strengthening U.S. investment and trade functions (26%), and ▲expanding economic and industrial security policies (20%).

There was also a strong demand for improvements in organizational culture. Forty-two percent of respondents said that "organizational culture innovation is urgent," and identified the following as immediate priorities: abolishing formal reporting practices and promoting non-face-to-face reporting, refraining from contacting employees outside of working hours, regularizing personnel appointments, and making major position appointments public. Representatives from each division and rank also directly proposed solutions and shared feedback on organizational culture and personnel systems.

Minister Kim emphasized, "As seen in the recent conclusion of U.S. tariff negotiations, the ministry's role has become even more important," adding, "I will do my utmost to foster a vibrant organizational culture where all employees can feel a sense of accomplishment and focus on their core work."

Meanwhile, on October 27, the ministry established the "Organizational Innovation Team," a dedicated body for organizational and personnel innovation. The ministry plans to systematically identify key innovation tasks and monitor their implementation to ensure that positive changes take root throughout the organization.

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