Choi Sang-mok on Trump's Inauguration: "The ROK-US Alliance is a Deep-Rooted Tree... The Best Cooperation Partner"

Choi Acting President on Trump's Inauguration: "Make the Alliance Great Again"
"All-out Effort for Changes in Trade Environment... Expedite Policy Consultations"
Vetoes Three Opposition-led Bills... "Reconsideration Needed"

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is holding a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, said on the 21st regarding the inauguration of the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump, "I am confident that the two countries will continue to achieve even more remarkable results as 'the best cooperation partners'."

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that morning, Acting President Choi said, "The ROK-U.S. alliance has been a 'deep-rooted tree' that has blossomed with prosperity together for the past 72 years since the signing of the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953, unwavering despite any challenges."

However, Acting President Choi expressed concerns, saying, "There are worries that changes in the new U.S. administration's trade policies and others could have a significant impact on our economy and industries, which are highly dependent on external factors," and added, "There are many voices concerned that the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups may worsen amid the challenging domestic economic situation."

To overcome this, Acting President Choi stated, "We will devote all efforts to responding to changes in the trade environment and restoring people’s livelihoods," and urged, "The National Assembly-Government policy consultation should be activated as soon as possible to promptly handle key bills related to livelihoods and the economy."

Earlier, Acting President Choi congratulated President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on their inauguration on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "The Republic of Korea hopes that, as during President Trump's term as the 45th president, the alliance will be made great again during his term as the 47th president."

Meanwhile, Acting President Choi exercised the right to request reconsideration (veto power) on three bills that were passed by the National Assembly plenary session led by the opposition party and sent to the government on the same day: the Special Act on the Statute of Limitations for Inhumane State Crimes, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act amendment, and the Broadcasting Act amendment.

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