Seoul: Acting Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il has called for active efforts to strengthen the country's economic recovery amid a challenging global environment. As he chaired his first extended meeting with senior finance ministry officials since stepping into the interim role, Lee highlighted the ministry's crucial role as a control tower in shaping the new administration's economic policy and supporting recovery efforts.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee, who was recently appointed as the first vice finance minister and is functioning as the acting minister due to a vacancy, stressed the necessity for the Ministry of Economy and Finance to leverage its expertise and execution capacity. He cited several pressing challenges, including sluggish domestic demand recovery due to weakened consumer sentiment, the intensifying global trade war, and rising tensions in the Middle East.
During the meeting, Lee encouraged ministry staff to tackle these issues with renewed determination, given the grave internal and external economic landscape. The officials discussed key policy matters, such as the new government's proposed supplementary budget designed to invigorate the economy and support citizens' livelihoods, as well as issues related to price stability and the real estate market.
Additionally, Lee directed the ministry to maintain thorough monitoring and crisis management, particularly in response to escalating military tensions in the Middle East following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran.