Presiding over the 6th Cabinet Meeting... Officializing the Relocation of 'SMBA to Sejong, KMA to Daejeon'
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking while presiding over the Cabinet meeting held on the morning of the 9th at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City, connected via video with Seoul. 2021.2.9 Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 9th, "I deeply regret the recent irrational suspicions raised regarding the 'document supporting North Korea's nuclear power plant construction,'" and strongly criticized, "Raising issues as if the document containing practical plans is an official government policy is an act that disregards common sense."
At the 6th Cabinet meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex that day, Prime Minister Chung addressed the voices raising related suspicions, saying, "It is hard to see this as constructive criticism or checks on government policy." He added, "As already clearly explained by the relevant ministries, the document was created only as an idea and is not an officially adopted policy," emphasizing, "Considering international regulations on North Korea, it is obvious to anyone that secret implementation is impossible."
Prime Minister Chung said, "Now is the time to focus all efforts on overcoming COVID-19 and stabilizing people’s livelihoods," expressing concern that "reckless suspicion-raising might cause the public service community to become discouraged and dampen the enthusiasm for proactive and creative work." He further added, "I earnestly request once again that the political circles stop meaningless suspicion-raising so that the government can devote itself to overcoming the current crisis."
Meanwhile, regarding the confirmed relocation of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to Sejong City, Prime Minister Chung urged, "We need to prepare measures to efficiently utilize the Daejeon Government Complex," and "Since public institutions under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups located in Daejeon will also move to Sejong City, we must consider follow-up measures together." He also stated, "At today’s Cabinet meeting, we will discuss relocating the Korea Meteorological Administration from Seoul to Daejeon," and ordered, "Considering efficient public institution operations and balanced regional development, related ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should find reasonable alternatives so that suitable public institutions can be located in Daejeon."
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