▲ This file photo taken June 7, 2023, shows Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Moon-kyu speaking at a meeting in Seoul. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) (profile) industry minister-nominee

(LEAD) (profile) New industry minister known for economic expertise, rich experiences

(ATTN: ADDS more details in last 4 paras)

SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Yonhap) -- Bang Moon-kyu, the incumbent government policy coordination minister, is expected to lead the country's overall energy policy with his expertise in economic policies and extensive experience in government service.

Bang, who currently leads the Office for Government Policy Coordination, was named the chief of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Tuesday to replace Lee Chang-yang.

Bang, 61, majored in English literature at Seoul National University and passed the civil service exam in 1984. He received a master's degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 1995.

The nominee has served in various capacities at the finance ministry, as well as the presidential office and the agriculture ministry, and has had the experience of working at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Bang served as the vice health minister from 2015-2017 and led the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea for about three years until 2022 before being tapped as the government policy coordination minister.

The presidential office said Bang is expected to push for regulatory innovation, export promotion and other industry policies as he is "a veteran economic official with a broad understanding of and ability to coordinate overall state affairs."

The industry ministry under the new leader is expected to further accelerate its push to boost the nuclear energy sector, a key task of the President Yoon Suk Yeol government, and to reform new renewable energy fields.

Yoon reversed the nuclear phase-out policy of the preceding administration and also set a target of exporting 10 nuclear power reactors by 2030.

The nominee will also face tasks of revamping regulations and supporting private companies facing heated global competition and economic uncertainties.

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