Koo Yoon-chul: "Unwavering Commitment Regardless of Cabinet Reshuffle"… Orders Full Effort on Follow-Up Actions for National Assembly Session and Livelihood Policies

First Expanded Executive Meeting After Returning from the G20 Summit
Large-Scale Recognition for On-Site Officials, Including “Eradicating Overcharging”

Koo Yoon-chul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, has expressed a strong commitment to steadfastly carrying out key policy tasks and addressing issues affecting people's livelihoods, regardless of the recent cabinet reshuffle announcement. With the regular National Assembly session and a state audit imminent, his remarks signal an intention to ensure the completion of legislative processes and detailed system designs for major economic measures announced tirelessly over the summer, such as tax reforms, so that these will lead to tangible policy outcomes.

Presiding Over the Expanded Executive Meeting: “Thoroughly Prepare for Legislative Amendments and State Audit”

Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance, is delivering opening remarks at the expanded executive meeting of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance held on September 7 at the Central Building of the Government Complex Sejong. Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

On the afternoon of September 7, Deputy Prime Minister Koo chaired an expanded executive meeting at the Government Complex Sejong, attended by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, department directors, and senior managers, focusing on strengthening organizational discipline and reviewing urgent issues.

At the end of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Koo called for a strong sense of responsibility, using a resolute tone as if to preempt any organizational instability. He stated, "Regardless of the cabinet reshuffle announcement, I will do my utmost to ensure that our ministry’s policies and key issues are carried out without any setbacks," stressing, "I hope that, as always, each of you will faithfully fulfill your respective roles." This message is seen as a precautionary measure to prevent any administrative gaps or policy lapses that could arise during a leadership transition and to guarantee continued policy consistency until the end.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo strongly urged a follow-up legislative drive for the major policies promoted over this summer. After commending the dedicated efforts of staff who worked on major agendas such as the tax reform package, Chuseok livelihood measures, support initiatives for vulnerable borrowers and youth employment, reforms to the national contract system, and public institution functional reforms, he emphasized that for these policies to deliver real impact and not remain empty slogans, legislative amendments, detailed system design, and close coordination with related agencies must be flawlessly managed. He also instructed that the National Assembly’s ongoing reviews of relevant bills and preparations for the state audit, including pre-examining the main policy issues, must be carried out without any negligence.

He also issued a sharp warning regarding the disparity between recent macroeconomic indicators and public perceptions of the economy. Deputy Prime Minister Koo noted that while the Korean economy continues to show signs of improvement, there are evident differences by sector. He repeatedly urged that vigilance not be relaxed, that macroeconomic conditions be closely monitored, and that matters directly affecting everyday life, such as prices and employment, be carefully checked not only through statistical indicators but also by assessing real on-the-ground conditions to ensure timely and effective responses.

Practical Officials Leading On-Site Innovation Receive Large-Scale Recognition... Kim Nayoon Wins Grand Prize for “Eradicating Overcharging”

Koo Yoonchul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, attended the '2026 First Half of the Year Ministry of Economy and Finance Exemplary Administrative Officers Award Ceremony' held at the Government Complex Sejong on September 7, and took a commemorative photo with the award recipients, including Kim Nayoon, who received the grand prize. Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Meanwhile, a large-scale recognition of working-level officials who have achieved tangible results for the public and driven innovation in organizational culture also took place at the event. In the first half-year proactive administration outstanding public officials selection, Kim Nayoon from the Civil Economy Bureau received the grand prize for devising measures to eradicate overcharging, thereby restoring trust in K-tourism. The top excellence awards went to Kwon Gihwan from the Development Finance Bureau, who established national ESG standards for public institutions, Kim Jeonga from the Tax Policy Office, who swiftly adjusted flexible fuel tax rates, Song Joonsik from the Public Policy Bureau, who supported the resolution of a railway strike negotiation, and Jeon Hyeongyong from the National Treasury Bureau, who expanded the formal definition of tobacco to include liquid types for the first time in 37 years.

The excellence awards were presented to Park Youngwoo, Director of Economic Supply Chain Planning, for innovating 13 supply chain regulations; Park Jihoon from the Civil Economy Bureau, for implementing countermeasures against price hoarding; and Shin Jeongwon from the Innovation and Growth Office, for leading the response to the U.S.-Korea Strategic Investment Law. The encouragement awards went to Jung Hyunyeop from the Tax Policy Office, for designing tax support for advanced industry investment, and Choi Jungwon from the Civil Economy Bureau, for developing the youth new deal initiative. In the area of internal innovation and public relations, Han Jaesoo from the National Treasury Bureau, who actively promoted key policies; Jang Inju, Director from the Innovation and Growth Office, who led policy communications; Bang Chunsik, Secretary from the Planning and Coordination Office, who headed the AI transformation; and Lee Seungyeon, Staff Officer, were selected as outstanding public officials. Additionally, Park Gihak from the Industrial Economy Division was named the "Best Small Happiness" awardee for August for devising tailored support for SMEs amid high exchange rates.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Koo welcomed 32 new youth interns commencing their first day of work, and called for meticulous support and attention at every departmental level to ensure these interns gain practical work experience and successfully adjust to the public sector.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.