The transition committee made it clear that the follow-up measures announced this Tuesday aim to create a government that can work more effectively by better dividing and integrating the functions ministries carry out.

President-elect Park's support for the new ministry of "future creative science" is noteworthy, as it will play a pivotal role in developing new growth engines, and in turn, boosting the domestic economy.

And to better run the ministry, which is expected to be large both in size and significance, the presidential transition team has decided to appoint TWO deputy ministers, one in charge of science technology and another in charge of information communications technology.

The current Ministry of Knowledge Economy will take over all trade-related affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade but will leave bilateral or multilateral diplomacy issues related to economic affairs for the foreign ministry to handle.

It will also take over the finance ministry's function of creating domestic FTA policies.

{Chin Young, Vice Chair , Presidential Transition Team}
"Through such changes, the government will make use of the economic ministry's expertise, and put forth the minister as Korea's top negotiator to strengthen its power in trade talks."

The revived Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will be in charge of marine resources development and R&D, and take over the marine leisure sports division from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The function and personnel of the abolished Office of the Minister of Special Affairs will be moved to the Prime Minister's Office.

"With regard to the finance sector, which was left out of Tuesday's announcement, the presidential transition team said it will thoroughly go over the issues raised by industry experts and scholars, and include any changes in the roadmap for the next administration if it deems them necessary."
Eoh Jin-joo, Arirang News.

Reporter : jjeoh@arirang.co.kr