Choi Acting Chief: "North Korea's Another Missile Provocation... Firm Response Through ROK-US Alliance"

"North Korean Missiles, a Clear Violation of UN Security Council Resolutions"
"Firm Restoration of the Livelihood Economy During the Lunar New Year Holiday"

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is holding a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, emphasized on the 14th that "we will respond firmly based on the ROK-U.S. alliance" to North Korea's missile provocations.

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office Building that morning, Acting President Choi said, "This morning, North Korea once again carried out missile provocations after 8 days," adding, "This is a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions."

He continued, "Our government will respond more resolutely to North Korea's provocations based on a strong security posture and the ROK-U.S. alliance."

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the South Korean military detected several suspected short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launches from the area around Kangye, Jagang Province, toward the East Sea at around 9:30 a.m. that day. This is interpreted as North Korea raising the level of provocations ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump on the 20th.

Acting President Choi also announced plans to firmly restore the livelihood economy during the Lunar New Year holiday.

He said, "As the domestic demand slump prolongs, the difficulties of the livelihood economy are intensifying," emphasizing, "The government must face the urgency of the livelihood field and create a momentum for reversal with a more straightforward mindset."

He added, "To this end, the government has announced the largest-ever Lunar New Year holiday measures," and "Today, through deliberation at the Cabinet meeting, we intend to designate January 27 as a temporary holiday."

Acting President Choi stated, "The Lunar New Year holiday measures prepared by the government this time are aimed at a holiday that revitalizes domestic demand, a holiday without worries about prices, and a holiday of sharing together," urging, "Cabinet members should all unite their efforts to achieve the intended goals and inform the public as much as possible."

He said, "This year's New Year's work report is being conducted as a meeting to find solutions to major issues, and the issues and solutions by sector are being organized one by one," adding, "The issue is speed and perception. Please push forward the key tasks under your jurisdiction with a sense of urgency, with the determination that one day now is equivalent to one month in normal times."

He also added, "Please continuously communicate with the field to check how much the public is feeling the effects, what is lacking, and make improvements accordingly."