Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung has instructed the launch of an emergency task force to address economic challenges as his first executive order since he took office Wednesday, his spokesperson said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang Yu-jung, spokesperson of the presidential office, made the remarks in a briefing, stating that Lee ordered Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho to convene a meeting of relevant authorities and working-level officials by 7:30 p.m. The creation of this task force is closely aligned with a central economic policy pledge from Lee's campaign.
During a campaign rally last week, Lee emphasized that revitalizing the nation's sluggish economy and improving people's livelihoods would be his top priority if elected. He also vowed to introduce an additional budget of at least 30 trillion won (US$21.77 billion), raising speculation that the task force will focus on drafting the extra budget.
In an MBC radio interview, Lee Han-jo, head of the Democratic Research Institute who is expected to lead the presidential policy office under Lee, mentioned that a significant portion of the extra budget aimed at improving livelihoods will likely be allocated for the issuance of regional prepaid voucher programs designed to help small merchants.
Additionally, Lee has ordered a separate working-level meeting on public safety, involving officials from local governments, to be held early Thursday.