National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday that South Korean and Singaporean leaders "shared the view that security, energy, and global economic impacts including supply chains should be assessed, and that safety and peace in the Middle East should be restored as soon as possible." Wi is accompanying President Lee Jae-myung on his state visit to Singapore.
"South Korea and Singapore reaffirmed the urgency of bilateral cooperation as middle powers," Wi said at a press briefing in Singapore. He provided an overall assessment of the Korea-Singapore summit before explaining the government's position on the Middle East situation.
Referencing President Lee's social media post from the previous day, Wi emphasized, "As President Lee clearly stated through SNS, there is no need for excessive concern." He added that "the government is thoroughly prepared across all sectors including the real economy, finance, military, and intelligence, and the Blue House is maintaining an emergency response system." Wi noted he is regularly checking related matters from Singapore and reporting to President Lee.
"The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and related ministries are closely monitoring energy supply conditions including crude oil, with daily reviews chaired by the Prime Minister," Wi said. "The government is developing measures to address various possibilities."
Meanwhile, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik held a weekly staff meeting at the Blue House and instructed officials to "closely monitor the possibility of a prolonged Middle East crisis and its multifaceted impact on the Korean economy, while maintaining an airtight emergency response system." In response to the Middle East situation triggered by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, all Blue House staff reported to work on the substitute holiday for March 1st Independence Movement Day.
"Protecting the safety and lives of Korean nationals staying in the Middle East should be the top priority," Kang said, adding that officials should "ensure the safety of overseas citizens."