Senior Aides’ Meeting Led by Chief Presidential Secretary
Kang Calls for “Additional Measures to Boost Domestic Demand”
Urges Meticulous Support from Relevant Ministries for K-Content Industrialization
On September 1, Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, emphasized the need to find new growth engines and create quality jobs, while also urging full efforts toward additional measures to boost domestic demand and stabilize the cost of living. He also instructed the preparation of price control measures to address potential supply instability of agricultural and marine products ahead of Chuseok.
Presiding over a senior aides’ meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office that day, Kang stated, “As President Lee instructed yesterday, from September onward, policy capabilities must be focused on addressing the difficulties faced by the public and finding new growth engines.”
During the meeting, Kang noted that since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration in June, both retail sales and industrial production have continued to rise. He particularly highlighted that retail sales in July increased by 2.5%, indicating a recovery in the livelihood economy, which had been dampened by illegal martial law and insurrection.
Kang stated, “To ensure that the public can more clearly feel these positive indicators, we must find new growth engines and create quality jobs.” He added, “Following the livelihood recovery consumption coupons, we must prepare additional measures to boost domestic demand, and make every effort to stabilize the cost of living, including for fresh foods.”
He also instructed the preparation of price control measures and on-site inspections in anticipation of Chuseok. Kang said, “Due to unusual heatwaves and heavy rains, the supply of some agricultural and marine products is unstable compared to previous years, raising concerns about a sharp increase in prices for Chuseok offerings.” He continued, “So that many people can enjoy a bountiful Chuseok, I ask the relevant ministries to prepare price control measures in advance and conduct on-site inspections.”
Additionally, Kang urged that recovery efforts for disaster victims who lost their homes due to heavy rains be expedited so that they can welcome their families in a stable environment during Chuseok.
He also called for meticulous policy support and cooperation among relevant ministries for the industrialization of K-Content. Kang stated, “K-Culture has now become more than just a cultural phenomenon; it is emerging as a new driving force for strengthening South Korea’s national power.” He added, “Active government support is needed for the industrialization of K-Content exports and the expansion of Korean popular culture exchanges.”
He went on to say, “Overseas diplomatic missions and cultural centers must strengthen their roles so that creative ideas from the private sector can lead to the spread of Korean culture and the expansion of K-Content exports.” Kang further urged, “Relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should provide more meticulous policy support and cooperation so that Korean culture can naturally permeate various regions through exchanges.”
Meanwhile, Kang instructed the Office of Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, among other relevant ministries, to set policy directions to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families are not socially isolated or marginalized in any area of life, including care. He also requested thorough efforts to establish measures so that the Lee Jaemyung administration can be recognized as a government that has provided the basic living conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families. As of last year, the number of people with developmental disabilities in South Korea was 281,000, accounting for 10.7% of the total disabled population (2,631,000).
He stated, “It is the role of the state to bridge the gaps and discrimination caused by the ‘accident of birth.’ The government must do its utmost to ensure that accidental differences at birth, such as intellectual or autistic disabilities-which individuals had no choice in-do not become inevitable disparities.”
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