Han Deok-su and Kwon Seong-dong Hold Party-Government Council at Prime Minister's Residence
Han: "Full Effort for Vulnerable Groups in Pain"
Kwon: "Defense and Interior Ministers Must Be Appointed Quickly"
On the 20th, the government and the People Power Party held a high-level party-government consultation meeting at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and announced their commitment to early execution of next year's budget to help small business owners, self-employed individuals, and vulnerable groups, thereby striving to restore the livelihood economy. They also stated that they would firmly maintain alliances with friendly countries to manage the security situation stably.
Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, said in his opening remarks, "We will do our utmost for the vulnerable groups who are suffering," and added, "We will focus on executing next year's budget intensively in the first half of the year to inject some vitality into our economy." Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Leader of the People Power Party and Floor Leader, also said, "Please prepare measures for the early execution of next year's budget to restore the livelihood economy," and emphasized, "Support for small business owners and self-employed individuals should be the government's top priority. Please make every effort to revive the domestic economy, including activating year-end gatherings."
Acting President Han and Acting Leader Kwon held the party-government consultation for the first time since the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol. This was to check the status of the economy, diplomacy, security, livelihood, and public safety while the president's duties are suspended and to prepare measures for national stability. The party-government consultation meeting was held for the first time in about three months since September 12, during the tenure of former leader Han Dong-hoon. The high-level party-government consultation, which included the presidential office, had not been held since August 25.
The party and government agreed that diplomatic relations with friendly countries such as the Korea-US and Korea-Japan alliances must proceed without disruption. Acting President Han said, "Based on the ironclad Korea-US alliance, we will maintain a flawless readiness posture and do our utmost to prevent any security gaps." Acting Leader Kwon also requested preparations for volatility in the financial and foreign exchange markets, citing changes in the trade environment following the inauguration of the Trump administration and the US's adjustment of the pace of interest rate cuts.
In addition, Acting Leader Kwon urged the prompt appointment of the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of the Interior and Safety. He said, "The longer the disorder in the chain of command continues, the more likely the security posture will become unstable," and added, "We must quickly restore the military chain of command through the appointment of the Minister of National Defense." He also said, "With large crowds expected at the end of the year and various disaster situations anticipated, thorough preparedness is necessary," and requested, "Please make a prompt decision on the appointments of the two ministers with the determination that maintaining security and public safety is the first step toward national recovery."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
