Climate minister marks ministry's first anniversary at press briefing

'Work may look different from what the old environment ministry did, but we are not neglecting it'

'A capable government must make the best choices in changed circumstances, not be error-free'

Minister of Climate, Environment and Energy Kim Sung-hwan speaks at a press briefing at the Government Complex Sejong on Thursday. [Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy]
Minister of Climate, Environment and Energy Kim Sung-hwan speaks at a press briefing at the Government Complex Sejong on Thursday. [Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy]

Minister of Climate, Environment and Energy Kim Sung-hwan said Thursday that the most important factor in achieving a "chemical fusion" between the environment and energy sectors had been fairness in personnel decisions. "It may not be a perfect score, but we tried to be as fair as possible, and there has not been much friction for a merged ministry," he said.

Kim made the remarks at a press briefing at the Government Complex Sejong to mark the first anniversary of the ministry, reflecting on the past year. He acknowledged that blending the former Ministry of Environment with the energy division of the former Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy "has not been an easy task."

Kim said the creation of the ministry was not unique to South Korea. "Surprisingly many countries take a unified view of environmental and energy issues," he said, adding that while some had briefly added economic affairs before separating them out again, integrating environment and energy "is a global trend, and such efforts will continue."

Asked what synergies the merger had produced, Kim pointed to progress on electric vehicles. Since the ministry's launch, the government had introduced a conversion subsidy for drivers switching from internal-combustion vehicles to electric vehicles and worked to improve the public's negative perception of EVs. "Twenty-three percent of new vehicles sold are now electric vehicles, though the war in the Middle East has also been a factor," he said.

Kim also said there had been meaningful public progress on building electrification. While the share of air-source heat pumps in the overall building stock remained low, he said a growing number of people were moving away from gas dependence. "I think the social mood has shifted considerably toward: 'The energy transition is hard and difficult, but that is the path we must take — so what should I do?'" he said.

Responding to criticism that the ministry's agenda had tilted toward energy at the expense of climate action, Kim said he frequently tells staff that the ministry must solve three puzzles: responding to the climate crisis, preparing for the age of AI, and ensuring competitive electricity rates. "There may be aspects that look different from what the old Ministry of Environment used to do, but we are not neglecting them," he said.

Kim also expressed regret over some shortcomings during the past year.

On the algae seasonal management program introduced for the first time this year, Kim said preparations had been insufficient and the ministry had not succeeded in visibly reducing algae blooms. "Next year, just as we drew up a plan for love bugs, we will more aggressively reduce non-point source pollution flowing into rivers and improve water circulation, so that people can feel: 'Ah, maybe the algae problem can actually be solved,'" he said.

Kim added that the handling of the 16 weirs on the four major rivers — "something that should never have been built in the first place" — remained unresolved. "I will share what needs to be said at briefings like this, and communicate as fully as possible with experts and civil society on any shortcomings, fulfilling the ministry's role as the body responsible for the coexistence of people and nature," he said.

Kim said the ministry had always listened to opposing views — whether on transmission grid measures, humidifier disinfectant issues or nuclear power plant policy — and tried to accommodate them as much as possible. "The standard of a capable government is not being error-free. It is the ability to swiftly adjust and correct course when unexpected factors arise in the course of pursuing a goal, and to make the best choice at that moment," he said. "That is the pragmatic philosophy of the Lee Jae Myung government, and it is the policy direction the ministry has pursued over the past year."


thlee@heraldcorp.com