Prime Minister Han: "Government is fully committed to stabilizing livelihoods... Pursuing measures to ease citizens' difficulties"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emphasized on the 17th, "The government will adopt an attitude of putting its life on the line for stabilizing people’s livelihoods, and ministers and I will directly visit the field to continuously promote measures to alleviate the difficulties of the people."

Prime Minister Han made these remarks during his opening speech at the 2nd High-level Party-Government Consultation held at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon.

He said, "Although only about ten days have passed since the 1st High-level Party-Government Consultation, considering the urgent quarantine and livelihood economy situation, the party and government have come together again today despite it being Sunday," explaining the government’s measures related to high prices and the spread of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Han explained, "Based on the first discussion, the government announced 'Measures to Support Livelihood Stabilization to Alleviate the Burden of High Prices' and started providing livelihood support worth 800 billion won for vulnerable groups," adding, "We are also strongly pushing for strict punishment of unfair practices such as collusion and improvement of distribution structures, but this alone is not enough."

Regarding the resurgence of COVID-19, he said, "The number of COVID-19 patients has doubled compared to last week, and the spread is faster than expected," and explained, "If we increase vaccination rates based on accumulated experience, promptly administer therapeutics, and maintain a well-prepared medical response system, we can sufficiently overcome the crisis."

He added, "The government will do its best to protect the lives and safety of the people by listening to expert opinions based on data," and urged, "We strongly recommend that all eligible people complete their vaccinations and carefully follow daily quarantine rules such as wearing masks indoors."

Prime Minister Han particularly explained that the government will spare no support for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. He said, "In the pandemic situation, competition among countries for vaccine and therapeutic development is intensifying, and our government is supporting 321 billion won this year for vaccine and therapeutic development," adding, "Through bold regulatory innovation related to food and drugs, we will strive to enable our companies to gain competitiveness and grow further in the fields of biopharmaceuticals and digital health devices."

Furthermore, he added, "To overcome the complex crises such as the faster-than-expected COVID-19 resurgence, high prices, and high interest rates, the party and government will do their utmost."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.