The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Scientists find green way to turn CO2 into fuel with sunlight

  • 3

    BLACKPINK's contract renewal still in limbo

  • 5

    Xi says he will seriously consider visit to South Korea: official

  • 7

    Family of 5 found dead in 3 separate locations

  • 9

    INTERVIEWVirtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels

  • 11

    Korea boosts subsidies to rev up falling EV sales

  • 13

    Lawmakers want to grill business tycoons over decision to rejoin FKI

  • 15

    All-Korean showdowns set up on 1st day of medal race

  • 17

    Hebrew University students travel to Korea to explore musical landscape

  • 19

    Yoon signs off on plan to waive expressway tolls during Chuseok holiday

  • 2

    N. Korea holds politburo meeting to discuss Kim-Putin summit: KCNA

  • 4

    BTS member Suga begins mandatory military service

  • 6

    Kim Jong-un's rejection of Russia's food assistance irritates North Korean defectors

  • 8

    Opposition party in turmoil as leader could be arrested on Tuesday

  • 10

    Foreign employees rewarded for contribution to Korea's shipbuilding industry

  • 12

    Russia lodges protest to S.Korean envoy over Yoon's UN speech

  • 14

    Disney+ aims to expand investment in original Korean content

  • 16

    Arrest warrant hearing for DPK leader Lee to be held Tuesday

  • 18

    Appellate court upholds 9-yr prison term for man over filming, distributing sexual videos featuring women

  • 20

    Gov't reviews changing description of Fukushima wastewater

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, September 24, 2023 | 17:34
-------------------------
Acting president vows no leadership vacuum
Posted : 2016-12-09 22:37
Updated : 2016-12-09 22:37
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, center, presides over a Cabinet meeting -- his first job as acting head of state -- at the government complex in central Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, center, presides over a Cabinet meeting -- his first job as acting head of state -- at the government complex in central Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo


Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Friday, following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, that he will do his utmost to stabilize state affairs as the nation faces many serious challenges.

He also said the government will listen to the people's voice and reflect it in running the country.

Hwang assumed interim presidential power earlier in the day after the National Assembly voted in favor of impeaching the scandal-ridden President Park. Until the Constitutional Court finishes reviewing the legality of the impeachment, which may take up to 180 days, he will lead the government.

"There are growing concerns that we are losing momentum in running state affairs amid the recent political turmoil," Hwang said in a nationally-televised address from the government complex in Seoul.

"In this grave situation, the government must stop state affairs from going adrift and the country from suffering an administrative vacuum."

In the wake of the corruption scandal, in which Park's confidant Choi Soon-sil used her ties with the President to obtain funds and favors, the embattled head of state had rarely focused on state affairs before being impeached. After the scandal broke, she issued three public apologies and even pledged to step down after the Assembly came up with a stable power-transfer plan.

Hwang, who also served as justice minister under Park, vowed to maintain strong military readiness against North Korea's threats.

"This year, North Korea has modernized its nuclear and missile weapons through a series of tests, so the government will work closely with the international community to resolve the issue, while remaining on high alert," he said.

This year, the Kim Jong-un regime carried out two nuclear tests in January and September along with a series of ballistic missile tests.

Right after the impeachment vote, Hwang called Defense Minister Han Min-koo and asked him to pay extra attention with regards to national security.

"North Korea may take advantage of our political uncertainties and undertake some sort of provocation," he said.

However, his office said that the acting president has no plan yet to raise the country's alert level unless the North's military shows any specific moves.

Following the national address, he also convened a National Security Council meeting to discuss security issues.

Concerns are rampant that the leadership crisis may adversely affect the nation's diplomatic landscape.

"A new administration will kick off in the United States soon, and the international atmosphere is quickly changing. I will focus efforts on protecting our national interests by maintaining close ties with our allies including Washington," said Hwang, who also talked with Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se about Seoul's sanctions programs against Pyongyang.

Hwang also vowed to keep a watchful eye on the overall economy so that the impeachment does not adversely impact the country's financial and foreign exchange markets. Korea will also make efforts to maintain the country's credibility on the global stage, the acting president added.

Since late October, massive candlelit rallies have been held every Saturday across the nation calling for Park's immediate resignation. In addition, she has been out of touch with the media and even from her Cheong Wa Dae staff.

"The government will listen to the public voice and consider it in leading the country," Hwang said, adding that the administration will closely communicate with the Assembly on various issues ranging from security to the people's livelihood and economic recovery.

The opposition parties have called for Hwang to step down, to take joint responsibility for the current crisis.

"I feel strongly responsible for the current situation as a prime minister who has assisted the President. I truly apologize for it," he said.

Emailksw@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
Top 10 Stories
1Understanding Korean Modernization Understanding Korean Modernization
2Bears of Joseon part 1: Fanciful tales and deadly claws Bears of Joseon part 1: Fanciful tales and deadly claws
3Exhibition for soldiers highlights North Korea's human rights abuses Exhibition for soldiers highlights North Korea's human rights abuses
4Sil-A overcomes stage fright, and them some Sil-A overcomes stage fright, and them some
5Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation
6Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars
7JTI Korea joins Jongno clean-up JTI Korea joins Jongno clean-up
8Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches 293 tril. won Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches 293 tril. won
9CKD Kochon Foundation awards Ukraine health authorities for treating tuberculosis patients amid raging war CKD Kochon Foundation awards Ukraine health authorities for treating tuberculosis patients amid raging war
10Sangha Farm offers agricultural experience programs in Gochang Sangha Farm offers agricultural experience programs in Gochang
Top 5 Entertainment News
1TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion
2BLACKPINK's contract renewal still in limbo BLACKPINK's contract renewal still in limbo
3[INTERVIEW] Virtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels INTERVIEWVirtual K-pop group MAVE: is more than just pretty pixels
4Hebrew University students travel to Korea to explore musical landscape Hebrew University students travel to Korea to explore musical landscape
5[INTERVIEW] Seoul's increased art market momentum brings Sotheby's back to Korea INTERVIEWSeoul's increased art market momentum brings Sotheby's back to Korea
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group