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English names of government ministries finalized

When the then presidential transition team announced last month that the incoming government will create a new ministry in charge of science and information technology, many English-language media reporters were at a loss over what to call it in English.

The difficulty was because its Korean title was seen as too grand and perhaps rhetorical as well. When translated literally, it should be the ministry of "future creation and science." The name was coined apparently to underscore the new government's commitment to "create" or open up a bright future for the country.

But the name was seen by some as strange, just like the ministry of "knowledge economy" in the previous government. That ministry was actually the ministry of industry and energy.

On Wednesday, the new government released the English names of all ministries and vice-ministerial agencies, with the "future" ministry being named the "Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning."

ICT is a short for information, communication and technology.

The names of other ministries were largely unchanged, except agencies that were newly established or whose responsibilities were changed. Another new ministry handling maritime affairs was named the "Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries."

The name of the ministry that previously handled foreign affairs and trade was shortened to the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" as the agency shed its trade negotiating functions. The "knowledge economy" ministry was renamed the "Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy" after taking over trade roles. (Yonhap News)