"U.S. Designates Sensitive Countries... Government Unaware of Decision Made Two Months Ago"
"Perfect Storm from the U.S. Approaching... Response Must Serve National Interests"
"Livelihoods Exhausted Amid Impeachment Crisis... Government Must Promptly Prepare Supplementary Budget"
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon criticized on the 17th, saying, "An absurd situation has occurred where the government has not even been able to grasp the designation of sensitive countries that the United States had already made two months ago."
On the afternoon of the 17th, Governor Kim Dong-yeon is speaking at the 2025 March Provincial Government Open Meeting held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Northern Office Building. Photo by Gyeonggi Province
On the same day, at the open provincial administration meeting held at the northern government office of Gyeonggi Province, Governor Kim said, "Since it is said to take effect on April 15, I urge the government to quickly appoint an economic plenipotentiary ambassador to enable emergency response."
Governor Kim pointed out, "At the beginning of the year, I proposed the designation of an economic plenipotentiary ambassador as an alternative to cope with the leadership vacuum in South Korea, but the government took no action."
He added, "A perfect storm originating from the U.S. is now approaching. I am deeply concerned about how tariff pressures will unfold and what other pressures and uncertainties might come to our economy, diplomacy, and defense in various situations. Having served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs in the previous administration, I met President Trump several times and dealt with him directly. Although he appeared ruthless and very reckless, I got the impression that he was a leader who pursued practical benefits very strategically. Therefore, I hope the system will be reorganized quickly to clear up this uncertainty, and even before that, through the economic plenipotentiary ambassador, we should respond in a way that best serves our national interests," he urged.
Governor Kim also urged the government to promptly prepare a supplementary budget.
He pointed out, "As the impeachment political situation prolongs, the livelihood sites are suffocating. We have been talking about the supplementary budget since the end of last year. Today marks the 104th day of illegal martial law and 90 days since the impeachment motion. However, political uncertainty is increasing, and livelihoods are almost exhausted."
He continued, "According to yesterday’s Statistics Korea announcement, there are 1.2 million unemployed youth, and 500,000 young people are simply idle. The economy is difficult, and if this frozen situation is left as it is, it will be a serious mistake that will take a very long time to recover," emphasizing, "Once again, I urge the government to immediately prepare the supplementary budget during this golden time for livelihoods."
He added, "The supplementary budget should densely and thoroughly protect vulnerable groups such as small business owners, self-employed people, and youth, and we must no longer delay investing in future growth engines amid the global industrial hegemony war."
Governor Kim said, "Gyeonggi Province has already started preparing the supplementary budget. This is precisely the time when fiscal policy must play an active role," and urged, "Within the limits allowed by fiscal conditions, I especially ask for close communication and cooperation with the provincial council to revive the economy and take care of livelihoods. I hope that necessary matters will be discussed with the provincial council in advance as much as possible."
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