Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo called on the government Tuesday to ensure people are safe and the national interest is secured amid the global trade war triggered by the United States. Han made the remark during a Cabinet meeting, the first since he was reinstated as acting president after the Constitutional Court overturned his impeachment the previous day.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han emphasized the severe impact of the U.S.-triggered trade war on the global economy and the increasing challenges faced by citizens, small merchants, and the self-employed due to sluggish domestic demand and rising inflation. He stressed the government's responsibility to safeguard the public and secure national interests while seeking cooperative solutions with the National Assembly.
Han pledged to leverage his experience in trade and foreign policy to manage the "tariff storm" initiated by the U.S. and to collaborate with both ruling and opposition parties to mitigate the crisis affecting people's livelihoods. He urged Cabinet members to continue implementing government policies and effectively communicate them to the public.
Addressing the wildfires in the nation's southeast, Han assured that the government would provide unwavering support for quick damage recovery and intensify efforts to extinguish the fires using helicopters and ground personnel.
On the ongoing issue of medical school students protesting an admissions hike, Han expressed concern over their continued absence from classrooms. He urged them to return, highlighting their crucial role in safeguarding the health of current and future generations in South Korea.
Han also called for the military to maintain a robust readiness posture to respond decisively to any provocation from North Korea amid the tense security situation. In a separate meeting with trade-related ministers, Han announced the formation of an "economic and security strategy task force" to address uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariff policies and other issues, replacing the existing external economic affairs meeting.
He specifically instructed thorough monitoring and response preparation ahead of the anticipated announcement of new U.S. tariffs on April 2.