President Lee Jae-myung said regarding the supplementary budget plan amounting to 30.5 trillion won, "The Middle East situation is very urgent," and "If additional alternatives are needed, create them and actively cooperate with the National Assembly to seek solutions." This statement can be interpreted as a call for an increase in the scale of the supplementary budget amid rising oil prices and inflation due to conflicts in the Middle East and U.S. intervention. However, the Presidential Office noted, "There was no discussion on the supplementary budget during the meeting."
President Lee said during a meeting of senior advisors and aides he hosted for the first time since his inauguration on the 23rd, "Currently, measures to revitalize the domestic market are being implemented regarding the supplementary budget," and added, "Although the government's proposal is at the stage of being finalized and passed to the National Assembly, if necessary, I hope additional alternatives in preparation for the Middle East situation will be created, and that you will actively collaborate with the National Assembly to find solutions."
President Lee noted, "Due to the expansion of uncertainty, the economic situation, particularly in the foreign exchange, financial, and capital markets, is becoming quite unstable," and added, "I hope that necessary measures will be identified and addressed as soon as possible, and that the uncertainty in the economy will be managed well to prevent further expansion." He also mentioned, "The public is suffering greatly due to prices, and I am concerned that inflation tied to rising oil prices may start again," and requested, "Please draw up adequate measures thoroughly."
In particular, a spokesperson from the Presidential Office stated that there was a directive for "bold measures to alleviate the debt burden of self-employed individuals and small business owners" during a closed meeting. To that end, he instructed not only the three chiefs but also working-level staff to attend the meeting. However, when asked whether the scope of the measures included in the existing supplementary budget plan would be expanded, he replied, "It was not a discussion of expanding or reducing the scope." He added, "Given the significant difficulties faced by self-employed individuals and small business owners, there was a request for bold measures for those in arrears."
Meanwhile, during the meeting, President Lee was briefed on a total of 11 pending issues, including national security, research and development (R&D) budget, and judicial system reform. Lee Gyu-yeon, the chief public relations secretary of the Presidential Office, reported, "President Lee urged that issues related to the economy and security be established more proactively and promptly," and noted, "He also emphasized that the efficiency of R&D budget execution is paramount and instructed to enhance research autonomy."