The ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye is considering reviving ministries in charge of science, information technology and maritime affairs, increasing the number of government departments from the current 15 to 18, her aides said Thursday.

The plans are in line with her vision to forge future growth based on technology and innovation.

“We are reviewing the option, in order to boost the country’s development in science, information and maritime technology,” said Ock Dong-seok, chief of the party’s government renewal team.

The departments were tentatively named the Future Creative Science Ministry, the Information Communications Technology Ministry, and Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

President Lee Myung-bak cut down on the number of ministries in 2008, citing the need for work efficiency and cost reduction.

He merged the science department into education to form the Ministry of Education and Science Technology, the supervision of information technology into the Korea Communications Commission, and maritime affairs into the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

The integration has been criticized by related industries and experts for failing to develop comprehensive and future-oriented policies.

Details are yet to decided upon but Park has so far shown a positive response to the suggestions.

The candidate previously pledged to establish the two science ministries and is expected to mention the maritime ministry during her visit to Busan on Friday.

The maritime ministry, if revived, will not only take over conventional maritime and fisheries issues but also focus on new businesses such as developing marine resources.

The reshuffling of government could sway the public servant vote.

Also, the establishment of the two science ministries could affect the long-term business prospects of numerous science institutions and information technology companies.

The maritime ministry, too, is a big issue in Busan, where the top three presidential candidates are expecting a tough battle in December.

Some within the right-wing camp even suggested the introduction of an independent finance ministry but the idea faced opposition from both financial circle and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)