Prime Minister Kim: "Greater Likelihood of US and China Attending Gyeongju APEC... Perfection Is Essential"

Regarding the "2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit" to be held in Gyeongju next month, Prime Minister Kim Minseok stated on September 23, "The likelihood of attendance by key leaders, including those from the United States and China, has increased."

Prime Minister Kim Minseok is attending and speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. 2025.9.23 Photo by Jo Yongjun

Presiding over the 43rd Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Kim said, "The eyes of the world are focused on Gyeongju, Republic of Korea." He added, "This event is a golden opportunity for our country to make a leap forward, showcasing the dignity and capabilities of the Republic of Korea." He went on to say, "The government will make every effort to ensure perfection in all areas," and expressed his hope that "the public will warmly welcome visitors and demonstrate mature civic consciousness."

While President Lee Jaemyung is currently visiting New York, United States, to attend the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Kim remarked, "This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, making the President's visit to the UN especially meaningful." He continued, "The Republic of Korea has developed from a recipient country to a donor country, and beyond that, has become a mature democracy with remarkable resilience. This will serve as an opportunity to inform the international community of this progress." He further emphasized, "For the first time as a Korean head of state, the President will preside over an open debate at the United Nations Security Council, solidifying Korea's status as a globally responsible nation."

Before the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Kim and Cabinet members held a promotional event to boost the consumption of agricultural and marine products ahead of the Chuseok holiday. In this regard, Prime Minister Kim highlighted the importance of domestic consumption, saying, "The barometer of livelihood recovery is the recovery of domestic demand." He urged, "With the Chuseok holiday lasting up to ten days, a large-scale discount event scheduled for late October, and the APEC Summit, I ask the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs to do his utmost to ensure that we seize the momentum for domestic demand recovery."

Meanwhile, at the Cabinet meeting that day, the so-called "Stronger Special Prosecutor Act," which expands the investigation period and personnel for the three major special prosecutors (insurrection, Kim Kunhee, and the death-in-the-line-of-duty marine), was submitted and approved as law. The amendment allows the special prosecutor to extend the investigation period twice by 30 days each at their discretion and permits the dispatch of dozens more prosecutors and public officials. It also includes provisions that allow the special prosecutor to reduce sentences for those who turn themselves in or make statements for truth-finding, as well as grounds for conditionally broadcasting trials.

The promulgation of the amendment to the three major special prosecutor acts, which passed the Cabinet meeting that day, will take effect immediately upon the President's approval and publication in the official gazette, even while President Lee is in the United States. However, the provision regarding the insurrection special prosecutor act will take effect one month after promulgation.

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