Video Conference Held to Address 'NEC Crisis'..."No Disruptions to State Affairs"

[Anchor]

As the repercussions of the situation continue to prolong, President Lee Jae-myung, who is currently on an overseas trip, will hold a video conference with his Blue House aides shortly. This is the first time a president has convened a meeting via video link while on an overseas tour.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan has the details from Rome.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a tour of Europe, will preside over a video conference of senior presidential secretaries from Rome, Italy, at 9:00 PM today (the 14th), Korean time.

[Kang Yujung/Blue House Chief Spokesperson (on the 12th): (President Lee Jae-myung) plans to personally preside over the senior secretaries' meeting from Italy and receive reports on key state affairs to ensure there are no gaps in governance during his tour.]

This marks the first time President Lee has chaired a video meeting of senior secretaries while abroad. The agenda is expected to include the 'National Election Commission (NEC) parliamentary investigation and institutional improvement plans,' the 'status of the joint prosecution-police investigation into the ballot paper shortage,' and 'trends in foreign exchange and financial markets, as well as inflation countermeasures.'

President Lee has emphasized that there must not be even the slightest disruption to state affairs during his trip. A Blue House official explained the background of the meeting, stating, "President Lee has a strong will to personally oversee state affairs, especially as the fallout from the ballot paper shortage continues and the situation of high exchange rates and high inflation persists."

With President Lee emphasizing the 'responsibilities of the ruling party' on social media yesterday, attention is focused on whether he will make any remarks regarding the Democratic Party during today's meeting.

Earlier today, President Lee delivered a speech at a special mass held at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, officiated by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik.

[President Lee Jae-myung: I hope we can create a virtuous cycle where peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to world peace, and global solidarity, in turn, strengthens peace on the Korean Peninsula.]

Having emphasized peace and solidarity, President Lee is scheduled to meet with Pope Leo XIV tomorrow to discuss topics including peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Reported by Jung Sang-bo | Video by Park Sun-soo | Graphics by Lee Jong-jung | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.