On June 4, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok emphasized the need for collaboration between the central and local governments to achieve tangible results for the public.
During his opening remarks at a meeting of the Emergency Economic Headquarters held at the Government Seoul Building, Kim noted, "Yesterday, the nationwide local elections were held, and new local leaders have been elected to guide local governments for the next four years."
He urged the heads of various ministries to enhance communication with local governments, stating, "It is essential that the government's national tasks, local pledges, and key issues of local governments create synergy. Please also monitor the progress of major projects." He added, "Now is the time to demonstrate the policies promised to the public."
Kim also expressed his condolences regarding the recent explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon facility and the fire at SK Hynix's Cheongju plant. He stated, "I extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in these incidents."
He called for thorough support for the treatment of the injured and assistance for the victims' families, urging relevant agencies to ensure no negligence occurs. He stressed the importance of joint inspections by the government and local authorities on high-risk processes, including the facilities involved in the accidents, to ensure improvements are implemented.
Regarding the conflict between the United States and Iran, Kim remarked, "Even if a ceasefire is reached, it is expected that normalizing the supply of petroleum products and restoring supply chains will take considerable time, possibly several months."
This week, the Consumer Price Index for May was reported to have risen by 3.1% compared to the same month last year, marking the first time it has reached the 3% range since March 2024.
Kim noted, "The impact of rising prices does not affect all income levels equally. Low-income households feel the effects more acutely due to their higher expenditure on essentials like food and energy." He urged relevant departments to do their utmost to stabilize prices, particularly for essential goods.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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