The government and the ruling party discussed on the 24th the impact on our security and economy stemming from the urgent international situation, including the U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iran's retaliatory attacks.

Im Woongsun, Deputy Director of the National Security Office (right), leaves the National Assembly on the 24th after finishing an emergency security meeting regarding the crisis from the Middle East with Kim Byeongki, Acting Representative of the Democratic Party of Korea and Majority Leader, among others. /News1

The Democratic Party of Korea held a closed-door emergency security review meeting with the government for about one hour at the National Assembly that afternoon to receive a briefing on the recent situation in the Middle East.

Representative Park Sang-hyuk, the floor spokesperson, met with reporters after the meeting and noted, "He briefed us on the overall situation regarding the circumstances raised when Israel conducted an airstrike on Iranian military facilities on June 12 in relation to the recent Middle East situation trends," adding, "He also explained various reactions from the U.S. and other Middle Eastern countries regarding the subsequent international developments."

He continued, "The government is currently maintaining an emergency response system at a whole-of-government level centered around the presidential office, focusing on protecting Korean citizens abroad, economic security, and issues regarding vessel and aviation safety, while seriously monitoring the current situation."

In response, attendees from the ruling party requested, "The government authorities should report on the situations that are needed by the party regarding the impact of the Middle East situation on East Asia".

The meeting included the acting party leader and floor leader Kim Byung-ki, Supreme Council members Kim Byung-joo and Jeon Hyun-hee, Policy Committee Chair Jin Sung-jun, and the floor spokesperson from the ruling party. From the government side, the deputy chief of the National Security Office and Jeong Kwang-yong, the director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Africa and Middle East division, were present.

The Israel-Iran situation began when Israel launched a surprise airstrike on Iran's nuclear and military facilities early on the 13th (local time). As both sides continued airstrikes and retaliations, the situation escalated to its peak on the 21st when the U.S. precision-struck three Iranian nuclear facilities. In retaliation for the U.S. airstrikes, Iran conducted missile attacks on the U.S. military base in Qatar (Al Udeid Air Base) on the 23rd; however, the two countries agreed to a temporary ceasefire that day with the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump.