Kang Hoon-sik: "Safety of Koreans in the Middle East Comes First... Stranded Citizens to Return Home Quickly"

Senior Aides Meeting Presided Over by Chief of Staff on March 3

"Thorough Measures to Prevent Disruptions in Business Activities"

Yonhap News Agency

On March 3, Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, emphasized, "We must prioritize the safety of Korean residents and visitors staying in the Middle East, and provide close support through local diplomatic missions to ensure that citizens stranded due to airspace restrictions can return home as soon as possible."

Jeon Eun-su, Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the President, delivered this statement in a written briefing, reporting that Chief Kang made these remarks during a meeting with senior aides. Chief Kang stressed, "In this grave situation, with growing geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East, the government will fulfill its essential role so that the public can go about their daily lives with peace of mind."

Chief Kang also instructed that thorough scenario-based response measures be prepared to ensure that Korean companies experience no disruptions in business activities such as energy and raw material supply. According to the deputy spokesperson, he called on all public officials to maintain an emergency work posture and to strictly uphold discipline in the public sector.

Furthermore, he ordered the establishment of countermeasures in response to the recent fire at an aging apartment complex. Chief Kang emphasized, "Relevant agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency must immediately implement initial response measures, including the distribution of fire detectors and installation of automatic fire spread extinguishers, and swiftly amend the law to mandate sprinkler installations in order to prevent further tragic losses."

Chief Kang concluded, "Even if not all the ideas discussed today are adopted as policy, it is most important to foster an environment within the public sector where creative ideas are continuously generated," encouraging the cultivation of an organizational culture that promotes free proposals and ongoing innovation.

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