The Presidential Office declared a "war on inflation" and called on relevant ministries to make all-out efforts to block excessive price hikes.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president, made the request at a senior secretaries' meeting he presided over on Tuesday, asking the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Fair Trade Commission to "approach this with the mindset that the war on inflation is just beginning, block excessive price hikes that exploit the rise in international oil prices, and do their utmost to stabilize prices for ordinary citizens."
Ahn Gwi-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a written briefing that day that "Chief of Staff Kang expressed concerns about rising international oil prices and consumer price anxiety stemming from the prolonged Middle East conflict." She added that Kang "assessed that a surge in international oil prices, by driving up raw material and logistics costs, is highly likely to further push up consumer prices for items closely tied to people's livelihoods."
"He particularly noted that pork prices have risen more than 8 percent from last year due to higher international grain and feed costs, expressing concern that the burden on ordinary citizens and vulnerable groups could grow even heavier," she explained.
Kang also referred to the recent murder of a female high school student in Gwangju, instructing the Korean National Police Agency to conduct a thorough investigation and to step up patrols in crime-prone times and locations. Ahn said, "Chief of Staff Kang expressed deep condolences over the incident" and "conveyed messages of comfort and solidarity to the bereaved family as well as to local students who are grappling with the shock and anxiety of losing a friend."
She added that Kang "noted that statements calling for severe punishment of the perpetrator are being issued, led by students in the area, and stressed that this case must not be taken lightly." Kang asked the senior secretary for public engagement and integration to "personally meet with the bereaved family and the family of the injured student to convey the government's condolences, and to attentively ensure that necessary support and measures are swiftly provided."
