Hwang to focus on domestic issues

By Kang Seung-woo

Hwang Kyo-ahn

Acting president, Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn called for pre-emptive measures to contain risks for the country’s economy in his first meeting with economic policymakers, Monday, since the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

“I call on the current economic team, led by Yoo Il-ho, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, to preemptively deal with external and internal risks, and other pending economic issues with a sense of responsibility,” Hwang said during the meeting at the government complex in Seoul.

Citing their vulnerability to fluctuation, Hwang also called on Financial Services Commission Chairman (FSC) Yim Jong-yon to closely monitor the nation’s financial and foreign exchange markets and opt for necessary measures in a timely manner.

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

The instructions he gave came as the nation’s economy is facing foreign and domestic challenges.

Along with growing uncertainties from Brexit and Donald Trump’s upset win in the U.S. presidential election, the incumbent Yoo and the newly nominated FSC chief Yim are awkwardly sharing the same position, as opposition parties that control the parliament have yet to determine whether to hold a confirmation hearing for the top economic post.

Along with his instructions, Hwang said that the government plans to focus on improving the livelihoods of the socially vulnerable, including low-income senior citizens and children during the winter season.

“By the end of January next year, the government will try to focus on finding the blind spots in the welfare system for children and address them immediately, and will strengthen tailored services for senior citizens living alone, whose number tops 220,000,” he said.

In a seperate meeting, Hwang addressed the outbreak of bird flu that has ravaged chicken and duck farms across the country since November.

According to the government, quarantine officials have slaughtered more than 6.54 million poultry as part of their efforts to contain bird flu as of Friday.

“The government must review how to further strengthen measures against avian influenza from square one,” Hwang said.

Hwang also instructed the relevant agencies, including the agriculture ministry, to ensure that field officers take charge of “preemptive” disinfection measures, and that there should not be any “buck-passing” in the efforts to stem the spread of the virus.

His instructions are a series of moves to tackle growing political certainties and the leadership crisis following the political paralysis that stopped governmental decision-making for months.

On Sunday, Hwang visited the Joint Chiefs of Staff, calling for full-fledged security.