[On-site Video+] Choi Sang-mok "At a crossroads where we need to overcome political uncertainty and seek survival."

[Anchor]
Amid the aftermath of the martial law incident and the settlement of the Jeju Air plane disaster, Acting President Choi Sang-mok presided over the first Cabinet meeting this year.

North Korea has launched its first ballistic missile provocation in the new year, and the launch of the second Trump administration is less than 15 days away.

Let's hear the remarks of Acting President Choi Sang-mok's cabinet meeting that took place a while ago.

[Choi Sang-mok / Acting President]
It is the first Cabinet meeting in the new year of the 乙巳 of 2025. In a more severe situation than any other year, we start our first Cabinet meeting with a heavy heart. Above all, I can't help but feel sorry for the bereaved families who celebrate the New Year with the sadness of losing their families.

My fellow citizens, we are now at an important crossroads in which we must overcome political uncertainty, seek the survival of the Republic of Korea in the face of the rapidly changing global situation and the technological hegemony war.

The reality is that the economic outlook for this year is also not easy at a time when the people's livelihood economy is recovering slowly.

Nevertheless, the Republic of Korea must develop without interruption and the lives of its people must be better.

This is why the government should be more determined than ever and bring the people's potential and wisdom together.

Members of the State Council, this is an extraordinary and severe situation. At times like this, the State Council member should take the center stage and fulfill his duty with a sense of responsibility and vocation.

In particular, I would like to ask each member of the State Council to work with a sense of duty as an 'acting authority' in the field under his jurisdiction.

Together with the members of the State Council, I will do my best for the early stability of state affairs and the recovery of the people's livelihood.

We are only afraid of the evaluation of the people and history, and it is our duty as public officials to judge properly and act responsibly for the country.

The New Year's government report will begin tomorrow. This year's business report should be completely different from the normal business report in all aspects of urgency, solution, and speed of implementation.

In line with the extraordinary situation, it should be an all-out war against the crisis. Amid political uncertainty, many people are worried that the government may be negligent in properly protecting the people's livelihoods and the safety of the people and preparing for the future of the Republic of Korea.

Our companies are concerned about changes in the trade order following the launch of the new Trump administration and external credibility.

Through this business report, we need to present practical solutions to the current issues and dispel these concerns.

This year, rather than a business report, we will operate as a meeting to resolve major pending issues. In addition, the members of each ministry should share awareness of the current situation and use it as an opportunity for all to join forces under the full authority and responsibility of the ministers to overcome the current crisis.

Before the business report, I'd like to ask you a few things. Last Monday, North Korea conducted another missile provocation for the first time in two months. North Korea's missile launch is a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, and a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula and global security.

The South Korean government will firmly respond to North Korea's provocations based on a strong alliance between the U.S. and South Korea. The Ministry of National Defense should renew the organizational atmosphere with the military and establish an ironclad security posture in preparation for additional North Korean provocations.

It is the beginning of a new government in the United States and the transition of the world order. It is a time when the country's diplomatic power is in desperate need. All ministries are diplomatic, centered on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?Please respond quickly to various pending issues such as security and trade and take all-out action to resolve international concerns about political uncertainty.

Concerns are growing that the difficult people's livelihood economy will freeze further in line with the recent political situation. It is time to make all-out efforts to restore the people's livelihood by mobilizing all the available resources of the government. Speed is more important than anything else.

All ministries should immediately start budget execution for projects necessary for the recovery of the people's livelihood economy and speed up measures to recover domestic demand such as consumption, construction, tourism, and local economy.

Export growth, which is the support of our economy, must also be firmly maintained. The Ministry of Industry and the Mid-term Ministry of SMEs and Startups should join the team with companies and run more fiercely on the field.

The government has unlimited responsibility for public safety. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should do its best to deal with the Jeju Air plane accident and support the victims until the end, and thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and come up with fundamental measures to prevent recurrence.

Are the Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the National Police Agency various gatherings?Please manage the protest focusing on safety and thoroughly prepare for safety accidents in winter.

At times like this, there should be no negligence in preparing for the future of the Republic of Korea.

Please step up support for core technologies that will become a 'game changer' for future industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced bio, and quantum.

My fellow Koreans, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of 復. It reminds us of the meaning of the day when we finally restored our sovereignty with an indomitable will for independence even after a long period of hardship.

With the potential of our people, we will surely be able to overcome the current crisis.

The government will do its best to stabilize state affairs and restore people's livelihoods, thinking only of the people and national interests. Thank you.