Han Seong-sook, the Prime Minister of South Korea, responded to criticism from opposition lawmakers regarding the increased budget for the president's overseas trips, stating, "The increase in exports by companies is being proven by the numbers." This remark suggests that the president's diplomatic efforts are yielding results in terms of expanding companies' international presence and trade networks.
During a comprehensive policy inquiry at the National Assembly's Budget and Settlement Special Committee on November 4, Prime Minister Han addressed concerns raised by Na Kyung-won, a member of the ruling People Power Party, about the president's diplomatic achievements and next year's travel budget.
Na questioned, "Is the president truly conducting effective diplomacy? I believe we are facing a diplomatic failure," asserting that while the president could spend freely if alliances improved through diplomacy, the South Korea-U.S. alliance is in disarray.
In response, Prime Minister Han stated, "The president is visiting many regions to boost exports and facilitate global business expansion," adding that results are emerging from networking among regulatory agencies to swiftly ease trade regulations and strengthen alliances through diplomatic efforts.
She also acknowledged the need for better communication regarding these achievements, saying, "We are continuously informing the public about this, but if there are shortcomings, we will strive to communicate more effectively."
Prime Minister Han actively countered opposition claims that next year's budget represents 'everyone's debt' rather than 'everyone's growth.' She explained, "The budget is allocated for necessary areas to ensure future growth," clarifying that it is aimed at maintaining stable operations in the national bond market rather than increasing debt.
When Na criticized the future response fund, which utilizes surplus tax revenue from the semiconductor boom as a 'cash distribution budget,' Han replied, "The government budget is primarily focused on areas that can foster growth."
She expressed concern over increasing polarization following growth, stating, "It is unfortunate that polarization is worsening after growth," and emphasized that the approach is not merely about cash distribution but about stimulating consumption and ensuring that benefits reach the market and small businesses.
Regarding the recent increase in exports, she noted, "This is not just the achievement of two semiconductor companies; sectors such as defense, shipbuilding, small and medium enterprises, and consumer goods are all improving evenly." She added that discussions are ongoing about nurturing industries beyond semiconductors and maintaining the competitiveness of the existing semiconductor sector.
Meanwhile, Na also played a video from the game 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,' which depicts a North Korean invasion, during the meeting, questioning the Prime Minister's role in the event of an emergency.
When Han responded that the National Security Council (NSC) would convene if missiles were launched and that she would participate in discussions, Na pointed out that the Prime Minister chairs the Central Integrated Defense Council and oversees proposals for declaring integrated defense emergencies and civil defense operations.
Han assured, "We have conducted relevant training in the past and are fully prepared," adding, "The government is more sincere than any other in prioritizing the lives and safety of the people, and I also prioritize protecting the lives and safety of the citizens."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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