S.Korea splits economy ministry, establishes climate and energy department under new President Lee Jae-myung

**Title**: South Korea’s New President Proposes Ministry of Climate & Energy to Lead Carbon Neutrality, Renewable Transition, and Bureaucratic Reform

**Submission Statement**:
South Korea’s incoming administration under President Lee Jae-myung is planning a bold bureaucratic reorganization—without the traditional presidential transition committee. A key proposal is the creation of a dedicated **Ministry of Climate and Energy**, which would centralize and expand the country’s energy and climate policymaking capacity. This new department would oversee decarbonization efforts, drive RE100 (100% renewable energy) implementation, and serve as the national control tower for a carbon-neutral future.

The administration also aims to break up the Ministry of Economy and Finance, separating budget control to reduce overcentralization of power and improve transparency. Other proposed changes include aligning public institution leadership terms with the presidential term to prevent last-minute political appointments and expanding the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

These reforms reflect a growing trend toward **state-led climate governance and institutional modernization**.