Prime Minister Kim: "Middle East Situation Fluid... Trust the Government and Maintain Daily Life and Economic Activities"

Cabinet Meeting

Prime Minister Minseok Kim stated on March 3, "The situation in the Middle East is highly fluid," and urged, "I ask all citizens to trust the government's response and to maintain their normal daily lives and economic activities in their respective positions."

Prime Minister Minseok Kim is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on March 3, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

On this morning, at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Kim presided over the Cabinet meeting on behalf of President Lee Jaemyung, who is currently on an overseas trip. He said, "The government is responding by mobilizing all available government-wide capabilities, prioritizing the safety of our citizens and the protection of overseas Koreans."

He also asked relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Please disclose related developments and response measures quickly and transparently so that citizens do not become excessively anxious." He further urged, "As the President is absent, each ministry must perform its assigned roles with even greater vigilance and leave no room for error."

During the subsequent ministry briefings, Jinah Kim, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, reported on the local situation in Iran and stated, "So far, there have been no reports of harm to our citizens." Yooncheol Koo, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Economy and Finance, said, "We are preparing countermeasures with the possibility of a prolonged situation in mind," and added, "Given the potential instability in the Strait of Hormuz, we will thoroughly respond to the possibility of increased volatility in domestic and international financial and energy markets."

In response, Prime Minister Kim reiterated, "The war is expanding into retaliatory actions against neighboring countries of Iran," and instructed, "Please prepare especially well for responses and evacuation measures for our citizens residing in those countries." He emphasized, "Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, exchange information with allied nations, and at the Ministry of National Defense, remain thoroughly prepared with military transport aircraft and other resources in case of emergency." He added, "Please ensure that we are ready to respond immediately to any developments after the President returns to the country."

Since the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iran, the government has been operating a 24-hour diplomatic and security crisis response system. Prime Minister Kim plans to cancel some scheduled events, including the Kwanhun Club forum originally set for March 4, to focus on the response to the Iran situation. On the afternoon of March 3, he will preside over an emergency meeting of relevant ministries at the Government Seoul Office for the third consecutive day to monitor developments in the Middle East.

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