Yoon: "Macroeconomic indicators will improve next year... We must strive so people can feel the change"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's Final Weekly Meeting of the Year... Aides Attend for Government Review
President Yoon Urges "Thorough Support for Vulnerable Groups Amid Winter Cold"
After Budget Report, Emphasizes "Quick Approval to Alleviate Public Hardships"

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a weekly meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the 18th and stated, "Next year, macroeconomic indicators such as the current account balance, growth, employment, and inflation are expected to improve," urging, "Please work hard so that the public can feel the economic improvement."

On the same day, President Yoon held a weekly meeting with Prime Minister Han at the Yongsan Presidential Office and gave such instructions, saying, "This year, the current account surplus is expected to be 30 billion dollars," according to spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung. The last weekly meeting of the year was attended by presidential office aides as well. The meeting was held to review the state affairs and discuss the direction of next year's government operations, with Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi, Policy Chief Lee Kwan-seop, National Security Chief Cho Tae-yong, and other senior aides all present.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also issued instructions to "provide thorough livelihood support for vulnerable groups during the cold winter season." He added, "Next year, boldly break down the barriers between ministries and have the Presidential Office and Prime Minister's Office inspect and manage this."

Earlier, President Yoon received a report on the National Assembly's situation regarding the new year's budget and said, "Please ensure the budget is promptly finalized so that the difficulties of people's livelihoods can be alleviated even a little." Concerned about the harm to the public caused by delays in budget approval, he mentioned, "The government submitted the next year's budget to the National Assembly last September, but today marks more than fifteen days past the constitutional deadline," and urged, "Please finalize the next year's budget and livelihood and reform bills as soon as possible so that the difficulties of people's livelihoods can be eased even a little."

The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to handle next year's budget at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 20th. Although they have not narrowed their differences regarding increases or decreases in major budget items, they have declared that they will process the budget regardless of the political situation. The budget and accounts special committee's party coordinators have held several private meetings to negotiate the budget, but there has been no significant change in their positions. However, there is a possibility of delay due to major political issues. The Democratic Party of Korea is gearing up for a special prosecutor law to investigate the 50 billion club allegations and the stock manipulation allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee, as well as the Itaewon disaster special law and three major state investigations (Seoul-Yangpyeong highway allegations, Marine Corps Corporal Chae's death in the line of duty, and Osong underground passage disaster).

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