▲ President Lee Jae-myung presides over a cabinet meeting on the 17th at the Government Complex Sejong.
President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the increasing tension in the Middle East, triggered by the U.S. attack on Iran, saying, “We need to prepare measures with the worst-case scenario in mind, assuming a prolonged situation.”
At the cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong, President Lee noted, “Although oil prices are somewhat stabilizing with the implementation of the oil price cap, the situation in the Middle East is expanding beyond expectations. If the current trend continues, oil prices are likely to become unstable again, and the overall impact on people’s livelihoods could intensify.”
He further stated, “Like securing additional oil from the UAE, we must fully utilize our diplomatic capabilities and assets to focus on discovering additional supply sources for countermeasures,” and emphasized, “In these difficult times, public understanding and participation are necessary.”
He continued, “Efforts to save energy should be expanded across society. If necessary, please establish various measures to reduce energy demand, like implementing a five-day-per-week driving system or even a ten-day system, and consider export controls if needed and emergency measures such as increasing the operation of nuclear power plants.”
In particular, President Lee ordered, “Please quickly organize a ‘war supplementary budget’ to support vulnerable groups and export companies.”
He also urged, “As the external environment becomes harsher, we must accelerate our steps toward national transformation,” and added, “When investing in regions, it should be done on an unimaginable scale, not just the minimum, to ensure solid support.”
President Lee said, “In most vulnerable sectors, the situation is worsening, so we can’t avoid income support policies (during the supplementary budget process). Even then, please boldly consider providing more comprehensive support to local areas.”
(Photo = Yonhap News)