Presiding over the 9th State Council Meeting… "Speed ​​up implementation of the maximum oil price system and direct support for consumers,""Actively reviewing additional charter flights and the use of military aircraft to evacuate our citizens,""The removal of some US military weapons from Korea does not hinder deterrence against North Korea… There is no cause for concern."

▲ 9th State Council Meeting (Blue House)

[Republic of Korea Education Newspaper] President Lee Jae-myung said on the 10th regarding the economic shock caused by the situation in the Middle East, "We must swiftly review additional financial and fiscal support, including the implementation of a maximum oil price system, energy tax adjustments, and direct support for consumers." 

The president made this request at a cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on this day, saying, "Due to the recent steep rise in fuel prices, difficulties in areas directly related to the people's daily lives, such as cargo transportation, courier services, delivery, and greenhouse farming, are increasing." 

The president emphasized, "As tensions in the Middle East intensify, uncertainty is rapidly expanding across the global economy, including energy supply and demand, maritime logistics, and financial markets." He added, "We must mobilize all national capabilities to minimize the impact of this external shock on people's livelihoods and the economy."

In particular, he said, "The most urgent task is price stability," and requested, "I urge the government to actively develop policies that can substantially reduce this burden on people's livelihoods and swiftly implement them."

He continued, "It is difficult to completely control external factors, but if we effectively utilize various policy tools, we can sufficiently reduce the pressure on the national economy and create opportunities," and emphasized, "As this is an emergency situation, we must stabilize market anxiety with measures and speed that go beyond existing manuals and policies."

The President, while relaying the news that some of our citizens had safely entered the country from the Middle East the day before, urged, "Please remain vigilant and do your best until all citizens are safely evacuated, centered around the government's joint rapid response team."

In particular, he instructed, "We must actively consider using military aircraft, including additional chartered aircraft, if necessary," and "I urge you to expedite land travel to safe neighboring countries."

He then repeatedly emphasized the need for a thorough and swift evacuation plan, saying, "Please take special care to ensure the safety of essential personnel who must inevitably remain on site." 

Regarding the recent discussion about the possibility of transferring US troops stationed in Korea to the Middle East, the president stated, "If you ask me whether this will seriously hinder our deterrence strategy against North Korea, I can say that it absolutely will not." 

The president explained, "From our government's perspective, we expect the role of the U.S. Forces Korea to fully contribute to the stability and peace of the Korean Peninsula, and we believe that has been the case so far." He added, "However, depending on how the situation develops, we are opposing the U.S. Forces Korea's withdrawal of some air defense weapons based on our country's military needs, but it is also a stark reality that we cannot fully implement our opinions."

The president emphasized the sufficient independent defense capabilities, saying, "Objectively speaking, South Korea's level of military defense spending is very high even by global standards. And there are statistics that show that our annual defense spending is 1.4 times the annual gross national product of North Korea." 

He continued, "Even international organizations rank South Korea's military defense capabilities as high as fifth in the world. Objectively speaking, there is a huge difference compared to North Korea," and "Of course, there is a special factor called North Korea's nuclear weapons, but it is clear that in terms of conventional combat capabilities and military capabilities, they are incomparably overwhelming."

The president said, "Just as we must routinely prepare for a war with a very low probability, there are many cases where external support may be withdrawn against our will due to the influence of the international order. Even in such a case, we must faithfully maintain so-called independent national defense capabilities that can defend ourselves." 

He added, "Considering objective factors such as the level of our national defense budget burden, the development of our defense industry, and our international military rankings, as well as the high morale and sense of responsibility of our soldiers, there is absolutely no reason to be concerned about national defense itself. And I believe that is what we need to do." 

[News Source: Policy Briefing]