Prime Minister Han: Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting Ends Today, Transitioning to Deputy Prime Minister-Led Structure

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook announced today (the 29th) that she will establish a "structure where the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers take more specific responsibility for their respective areas moving forward."

During her opening remarks at the 16th Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the Government Complex-Seoul today, Prime Minister Han stated, "We are wrapping up the Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting as of today and intend to shift to a structure led directly by the Deputy Prime Ministers."

She continued, "The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs is effectively taking charge of meetings related to the Middle East conflict. The Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology should take care of technology-related meetings centered around AI (artificial intelligence) and manage related tasks, allowing the two Deputy Prime Ministers to clearly define their areas of responsibility."

Prime Minister Han explained, "Overall, I believe I need to focus more on whether the work of each ministry is running smoothly, whether schedules are being checked rapidly, and on issues centered around social ministries."

She added, "I also plan to look into eliminating what needs to be eliminated and changing what needs to be changed, so that vice ministers can spend less time attending various meetings and more time focusing on their actual duties."

These remarks by Prime Minister Han are interpreted as an intention to pursue greater government efficiency by distributing the numerous meetings currently presided over by the Prime Minister to the Deputy Prime Ministers and others based on their roles.

Meanwhile, regarding the response to the situation in the Middle East, Prime Minister Han ordered, "Please constantly check whether past crisis response measures are being pursued consistently." She added, "First, I ask you to check whether crackdowns and punishments for market-disturbing acts, such as hoarding and price-fixing, are being properly carried out, and whether related institutional improvements, including the Price Stabilization Act, are progressing without a hitch."

She also repeatedly urged relevant ministries, saying, "Please meticulously look into whether there are vulnerable groups suffering from heatwaves, whether food is safe from the hazards of food poisoning, and whether the supply and demand of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products are being managed smoothly." She added, "With an extraordinary sense of mission, please help stabilize people's livelihoods and restore economic vitality."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.