Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Prime minister vows seamless preparations for Gyeongju APEC Summit
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during a press conference held at the Government Complex in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said preparations for the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, are “proceeding smoothly,” with logistical arrangements for the late-October event nearly finalized.
Speaking at his first press briefing since taking office 47 days ago — and 77 days into the Lee Jae Myung administration — Kim said accommodations for visiting delegations are in place and that the government expects leaders of member economies to attend, in line with diplomatic conventions. His comments follow reports of a “tighter” preparation schedule and lingering questions about whether the city could host all guests, including heads of state, business representatives, government officials and members of the press.
“I have been personally reviewing progress on a weekly basis, and related embassies have already made broad accommodation choices for their delegations,” Kim said. “There are no significant issues at this stage.”
The prime minister emphasized that infrastructure and facilities are moving forward according to plan, with accommodations, media centers and event venues undergoing repeated inspections. Cultural programs have been planned, he said, while remaining preparations focus on services such as staffing and catering.
“We will step up on-site follow-ups in September and conduct final inspections in Gyeongju as the summit approaches,” Kim said.
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok speaks during a press conference at Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Looking beyond APEC, Kim emphasized that the Lee administration’s first year will be pivotal in shaping the country’s trajectory.
“South Korea faces a complex set of global and domestic challenges, such as declining productivity, a slowdown in manufacturing, demographic decline and growing polarization,” he said. “We must mobilize both public and private capacities to overcome these crises. In the short term, our focus will be on livelihoods and trade risks, while in the long term we must drive a major transformation toward an AI-powered innovation economy.”
This vision for national renewal, Kim suggested, would also guide the government’s approach to contentious domestic policies.
Turning to the economy, he addressed concerns over the controversial “yellow envelope bill” — which would amend the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act to expand the definition of “employer” and limit companies’ ability to claim significant compensation for damage caused by striking unions. Labor groups have pushed for the reform for more than a decade, and business leaders and conservatives have long resisted. Critics argue the bill would expose companies to new legal liabilities and undermine management rights by expanding the scope of collective bargaining and limiting corporate recourse against strikes.
Regarding the matter, the prime minister reframed the debate, highlighting that the government’s goal is to seek a pro-growth path rather than siding with either labor or management.
“Rather than viewing policies strictly as pro-business or pro-labor, we should adopt a growth-oriented perspective. Industrial safety reforms, for example, should not be seen merely as labor issues, but as essential to building a more advanced and innovative economy," the prime minister emphasized.
James Kim, left, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, sits next to Rep. Kim Byung-kee, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The prime minister's remarks also turned to a perennial challenge for the South Korean government: its relationship with nuclear-armed North Korea.
When asked about North Korea’s ongoing nuclear development despite the Lee administration’s conciliatory stance, Kim said both Koreas are pursuing a dual approach in their relations.
“While we carry out necessary security drills, we are also sending messages of peace. Both sides are conveying complex signals, and this should be understood in that context,” he said.
On prosecutorial reform, a key policy of the Lee administration, Kim reaffirmed that the principle of separating investigation and indictment powers will be maintained, while urging caution. Although the ruling party has pledged to complete reforms before the Chuseok holiday, he noted that the timeline may be adjusted depending on specific issues.
“The principle is clear, but reforms must not appear rushed. Full discussions between the National Assembly and political parties are essential,” the prime minister said.
Addressing the government’s declining approval ratings, Kim emphasized a focus on pragmatic governance.
“The people want us to restore the economy and livelihoods from a centrist, practical perspective. Ultimately, the government will be judged by whether people’s lives have improved by the end of this administration,” he said, adding that the president has repeatedly stressed the same point.