Gov't ready to participate in opposition-proposed economic meeting: finance minister

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok enters the National Assembly building, Dec. 10. Yonhap

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Tuesday the government is prepared to take part in an emergency economic meeting proposed by the main opposition party amid political turmoil.

Earlier in the day, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung suggested convening a consultative body involving the DPK, the ruling People Power Party and the government to discuss potential economic measures.

"If a consultative body is established, the government will actively participate," Choi said in a release.

The proposal comes amid heightened uncertainty in the country's financial and foreign exchange markets following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law last week. The declaration was swiftly overturned by the National Assembly just hours after its announcement.

Additionally, Choi has urged the DP-controlled National Assembly to expedite the approval of next year's budget. In a rare move, he met with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on Monday to stress the importance of the budget bill's passage. (Yonhap)