South Korea Acting President Inspects Wildfire Site and Convenes NSC Meeting: "Economy Is Security"

Han Duck-soo, On His First Day Back, Maintains a Hectic Schedule Until Evening
"Maintain Thorough Preparedness, No Gaps Allowed"
"The Economy Is Security... All Ministries Must Work as One Team"

Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo held a full meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) at 9 p.m. on the 24th at the Government Seoul Office and urged, "Maintain thorough preparedness so that there is not a single gap in protecting the lives and property of our people."

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the wildfire evacuee shelter set up at Uiseong Gymnasium in Uiseong County, Gyeongbuk on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News

At the meeting, Prime Minister Han emphasized, "The security situation facing the Republic of Korea is more severe than ever," adding, "North Korea continues military provocations including nuclear and missile threats, and does not cease cyberattacks against our government, companies, and citizens."

Prime Minister Han added, "Based on the solid ROK-U.S. alliance, we must closely cooperate with allied countries and the international community to ensure that diplomatic policies for our people and national interests are carried out without any setbacks."

He further explained, "Today, security policy and economic policy cannot be separated. The economy is security, and security is the economy," and said, "All ministries must work as one team and cooperate closely so that our companies competing in the global market can secure stable supply chains and fully demonstrate their capabilities."

He continued, "I once again urge all public officials present here to always keep in mind that they exist for the people and work for the people, and to devote their full efforts without wavering under any circumstances."

Acting President Han, who returned to duty on the same day following the Constitutional Court's dismissal of the impeachment motion, managed key domestic and international issues from the first day by visiting the integrated command center for the wildfire in Uiseong County, Gyeongbuk Province to check the wildfire response situation, and then convening the full NSC meeting.

At the integrated command center for the wildfire, Acting President Han encouraged the special wildfire suppression team, firefighters, and local government officials, and then visited the evacuation shelter set up at Uiseong Gymnasium to comfort residents affected by the wildfire.