Prime Minister Kim Min-seok expressed concern that inter-Korean relations are "in some ways, the worst since liberation."
At a meeting with business leaders from the Korea Employers Federation and a government policy briefing held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 26th, PM Kim stated, "In the past, even when we fought, we called each other one Korean people, but now they call us a completely different country, an enemy state."
He added, "However, we have managed and will continue to manage the situation to at least prevent further conflict and avoid escalating tensions."
According to the Korean Central News Agency on the same day, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said at the 9th Party Congress of the Workers' Party, which concluded the previous day, that "the conciliatory attitude professed by South Korea's current administration is a clumsy deception and a poor act," adding that South Korea would be "permanently excluded from the category of compatriots."
Meanwhile, at the meeting, PM Kim exchanged views with business leaders on domestic and international economic conditions and the overall business environment. He emphasized that "as domestic and external uncertainties expand, a public-private joint 'One Team Korea' system with close cooperation between government and business is more important than ever."
He personally explained the government's policy direction for 2026 and pledged active government support to help businesses achieve sustained growth and stable operations.
Attendees included Korea Employers Federation Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee, SK Vice Chairman Lee Hyung-hee, Hyundai Motor Vice President Jeong Sang-bin, LG Chem President Cha Dong-seok, Lotte Holdings President Ko Jung-wook, POSCO President Lee Hee-geun, Hanwha President Lee Tae-gil, Doosan Enerbility Vice Chairman Jeong Yeon-in, Chong Kun Dang Chairman Lee Jang-han, Fashion Group Hyungji Chairman Choi Byung-oh, Sempio Foods President Park Jin-sun, and Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Shin-hak.