Commerce minister urges public firms to normalize

South Koreaโ€™s commerce minister on Friday urged continued efforts by public firms, especially energy companies, to reduce their debts and enhance their productivity as the government pushes speedy normalization of their debt-laden business and lax management.

The renewed call came at a special meeting with the heads of 16 public firms under the wings of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to review their promised efforts.

โ€œWhile urging the company heads to implement their earlier normalization plans without any disruption, Minister Yoon Sang-jick asked the companies to maintain or increase their investment related to safety,โ€ the ministry said in a press release.

Yoon also warned that those who fail to meet their goals may be sacked, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)