IMF Chief: "Korean Economy to Rebound to Potential Growth Next Year"... Lee: "Future Looks Positive" [Gyeongju APEC]

Lee: "KOSPI Surpasses 4,000... Rapid Economic Recovery"
"Fiscal Management with a Focus on Performance and Sustainability"

President Lee Jaemyung met with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the 31st and remarked that the Korean economy is recovering rapidly, referencing the recent milestone of the KOSPI index surpassing 4,000 points for the first time. Managing Director Georgieva stated that the Korean economy is expected to rebound to its potential growth rate next year.

President Lee Jae-myung is meeting Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), at the Gyeongju Hwarang Convention Center in Gyeongbuk, the venue for the APEC Summit, on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee met with Managing Director Georgieva, who visited Gyeongju to attend the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, and discussed the global and Korean economic outlook, economic policy directions, and growth strategies.

President Lee said, "Since the launch of the new administration, political uncertainty has been quickly resolved, leading to a rapid recovery of the Korean economy. The KOSPI index has surpassed 4,000 points for the first time in history, and both domestic and international investors are viewing Korea's future positively."

He added, "Expectations for government policies and the swift implementation of an additional supplementary budget have improved private consumption sentiment, revitalizing the economy. I hope this positive trend will continue into next year."

Managing Director Georgieva explained, "Looking at various indicators such as Korea's recent consumption and exports, the Korean economy is recovering, and I expect this trend to continue, with Korea rebounding to its potential growth rate next year."

President Lee told Managing Director Georgieva that the Korean government is accelerating changes in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology to secure new growth engines through an AI-driven transformation and the realization of a super-innovative economy.

He also emphasized that, to ensure sustainable growth, Korea is actively advancing its financial and foreign exchange markets so that capital is channeled into productive finance such as corporate investment and industrial innovation.

In particular, he explained that the government will operate the budget with a performance-oriented approach, ensuring fiscal sustainability while serving as a catalyst for the economy.

President Lee highly praised the efforts of the IMF and Managing Director Georgieva for global economic growth and stability, stating, "Korea will actively participate in the IMF's efforts to support low-income and vulnerable countries, drawing on its own experiences of economic development."