Prime Minister Kim Convenes Emergency Meeting on Middle East Crisis: "Rapid Response Teams to Be Dispatched, Fake News to Face Strict Crackdown" (Comprehensive) [US Airstrikes on Iran]

Safety of Overseas Nationals as Top Priority
Rapid Response Teams and Transportation Plans to Be Prepared

Prime Minister Kim Minseok presided over an 'Emergency Inter-ministerial Meeting to Assess the Middle East Situation' at the Government Complex Seoul on the 1st, in response to the escalating Middle East crisis following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. He ordered an all-out response to safeguard national security and economic stability.

Yonhap News Agency

At the meeting, Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "The international community's concerns over the Middle East situation are intensifying," and stressed the need to respond with heightened vigilance and a strong sense of urgency. He specifically noted that President Lee Jaemyung is currently on an overseas visit, and announced that, until the President returns, he would personally oversee daily evening 'Emergency Comprehensive Review Meetings' with relevant ministries to ensure preparedness.

Prime Minister Kim also warned, "There is a risk that this situation could be exploited to incite unrest and spread false information that stirs social anxiety," and instructed the prosecution and police to carry out thorough crackdowns and respond firmly. This reflects his commitment to alleviating public anxiety by delivering accurate information.

He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately and comprehensively check on the whereabouts and safety of Korean nationals residing in the Middle East and neighboring countries. He also ordered that, in the event of a worsening situation, rapid response teams be dispatched without delay, and that concrete transportation plans be prepared in advance to ensure the safe return of nationals. In addition, he called for the 24-hour operation of the foreign affairs and security crisis response system, regular situation assessment meetings, and the thorough evaluation and sharing of risk factors.

Proactive measures in the energy and economic sectors were also emphasized. Prime Minister Kim noted, "We rely on the Middle East for 70% of our crude oil and 30% of our natural gas," and instructed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as well as the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, to assess risks related to energy supply and logistics. He also directed the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Financial Services Commission to operate a monitoring system focused on oil prices, exchange rates, and the stock market under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and to review possible market stabilization measures.

The government plans to focus on providing timely and accurate information, including considering regular briefings by relevant agencies, to reassure the public. Meanwhile, other ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups have each established real-time monitoring systems and begun tailored responses, including policy funding support for affected businesses.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.