Park Dong-il, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated on October 19 that "past successes do not guarantee future successes" and emphasized that "growth" should be at the center of all policies.
During his inauguration ceremony at the Government Sejong Center, Park noted that "the global uncertainty and the ongoing supply chain crisis have completely changed the trade environment, and technological revolutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) are accelerating." He added, "Since industry is where growth is actually generated, we will create conditions for growth, expand growth opportunities, and lead Korea's next leap forward as a ministry."
Park presented three guiding principles for the ministry's staff: promoting growth-centered policies, enhancing policy capabilities to identify new issues, and fostering a considerate organizational culture.
He stressed the importance of placing growth at the core of all policies, stating, "All policies we pursue, including mega-projects, industrial AI transformation (M.AX), and the five poles and three special growth engines, must ultimately lead to corporate investment, industrial innovation, quality jobs, and growth for both the people and regions. Policies should not exist for their own sake or for the sake of projects alone."
Park urged his team to consider how their work contributes to the growth of the nation and its citizens, and how they can execute initiatives more swiftly. He encouraged them to proactively reach out to other ministries and businesses to facilitate collaboration.
He also highlighted the need for a fresh perspective that is not bound by traditional practices during policy implementation. Park stated, "We should always ask questions and seek out the 'hidden 1 cm' of policy. By questioning what we take for granted, we can uncover hidden issues that may lead to entirely different solutions."
He identified key tasks such as enhancing the competitiveness of the semiconductor ecosystem, fostering regional growth, nurturing new industries, and improving corporate productivity through M.AX.
Park called for proactive measures to identify potential risks in key supply chains and strategic resources. He elaborated, "Asking questions ahead of time leads to forward-thinking policies, and proactive policies can turn crises into opportunities."
He expressed his commitment to organizational culture innovation, stating, "Good policies start with understanding the field, and a healthy organization begins with mutual respect. We must not overlook the voices of the people and businesses and should pay attention to the difficulties faced on the ground."
In particular, he remarked, "There is no threshold to my office. I will communicate with the field rather than remain confined to reports on my desk. Let’s significantly reduce unnecessary face-to-face reports, meetings, and performative events, focusing instead on our work and creating an organizational culture that maximizes our capabilities."
Park concluded by assuring his support for efforts to make the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy a department that is filled with pride and fulfillment internally while earning the trust of businesses and citizens externally.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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