Kang Hoon-sik Denies Claims of Demanding Increased U.S. Investment from Conglomerates
Urges Bipartisan Cooperation Ahead of Tariff Negotiations
Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President (left), is briefing on the senior secretaries and aides meeting held on the 24th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On July 28, Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik emphasized that the claim by Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, that the government demanded South Korean conglomerate leaders increase their investments in the United States, is "an obvious falsehood and a baseless political attack."
Presidential Office Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung made this statement during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day. According to Spokesperson Kang, Chief Secretary Kang stated at the senior secretaries' meeting presided over by him on the same day, "Song's claim that the government demanded South Korean conglomerate leaders expand their investment in the United States is an obvious falsehood and a baseless political attack," and added, "The Lee Jaemyung administration has never demanded that conglomerates increase their investment in the United States."
Chief Secretary Kang further stated, "We regret that the People Power Party has made groundless speculations ahead of the negotiations," and continued, "The tariff negotiations require a bipartisan response not only from the government and the business community but also from both ruling and opposition parties. With the tariff negotiations only four days away, we urge the National Assembly, as well as the public and private sectors, to join forces to ensure a successful conclusion," according to Spokesperson Kang.
On the same day, Floor Leader Song criticized, "The Lee Jaemyung administration is tying the hands of businesses, turning a blind eye to illegal acts by labor unions, and pushing for tax increases, while in the face of a tariff negotiation crisis, demanding that conglomerate leaders expand their investment in the United States. Which company could trust such a double standard, where they are attacked in public but asked for help in private?"
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Kang explained regarding the livelihood recovery consumer coupon, "The consumer coupon program aimed at revitalizing the people's economy is being implemented swiftly, injecting vitality into local commercial districts," and added, "We can feel that struggling neighborhood businesses and traditional markets are regaining their vitality."
However, Chief Secretary Kang pointed out that there have been cases of price gouging during the vacation season, and instructed, "Since this could even undermine the policy effect of the consumer coupon, mobilize all available means?including price inspections, on-site guidance, and administrative measures?to manage prices at vacation spots."
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