The South Korean government has announced a major reorganization focused on streamlining ministries and preparing for new policy challenges such as the climate crisis and artificial intelligence. Minister of the Interior and Safety, Ho-jung Yoon, described it as “the first step to carry out the people’s core policy demands and support the new administration’s national goals.” The new structure will include 19 ministries, six offices, 19 agencies, and six commissions.

The Criminal Investigation Agency will be placed under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, while a new Prosecution Office for indictments will be created under the Ministry of Justice. Both will begin operation one year after the law is promulgated, with further discussions to follow on prosecutors’ supplementary powers and the possible creation of a National Investigation Commission.

Economic ministries will also be reshaped. The Ministry of Economy and Finance will be split into the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Budget Office, restoring a system from before the Myung-bak Lee administration. The new Finance and Economy Minister will serve as Deputy Prime Minister, while the Budget Office will fall under the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will be created by merging the Ministry of Environment with energy policy functions from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, covering both nuclear and renewable energy. Financial regulation will be reorganized as well: the domestic finance role of the Financial Services Commission will shift to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, while a new Financial Supervisory Commission will combine oversight functions of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service.

Other changes include establishing a Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology, and also the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Committee. The Korea Communications Commission is replaced with a Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission, Statistics Korea is upgraded into a National Data Agency, and the Intellectual Property Office is elevated into a Prime Minister’s Office–affiliated agency.

The reorganization, touching on justice, economy, climate, and science, reflects the government’s push to strengthen policy coordination while adjusting to new national priorities.