Minister of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) Hong Suk-woo said the government plans to take preemptive measures against the slowing of the real economy so as to capitalize on the nation's feat of surpassing the $1 trillion trade threshold. 

In his New Year message, Minister Hong said, "The government plans to step up its constant surveillance of the whole, real economy while offering steps to induce companies to make aggressive investments."

Hong said, "The Ministry of Knowledge Economy will make its fullest efforts to spread shared growth among large- and small-sized companies and create jobs for youth."

The MKE plans to establish an energy supply system so that people feel at ease while revamping an electricity supply regime with a focus on safety and credibility and ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power units. 

The minister said his ministry will ramp up its support for companies so that they will aggressively do business in its "economic territory," which has been widened by the implementation of free trade agreements, while invigorating industrial convergence with green industries to secure an upper hand in the global market. The MKE also plans to ramp up the nation's soft power such as software and design, which are not on par with world-class ones, he said.    nw