The Presidential Office declared a "war on prices" and ordered related 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 chaired on the 11th. Kang asked 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 "block excessive price hikes that use the rise in international oil prices as a pretext and make every effort to stabilize prices for ordinary citizens, with the resolve that the war on prices is just beginning."
Ahn Gwi-ryeong, deputy spokesperson for the Presidential Office, said in a written briefing that "Chief Kang expressed concern about the rise in international oil prices due to the prolonged Middle East war and the instability in perceived prices." She added, "He assessed that the surge in international oil prices is leading to higher raw material and logistics costs, and is likely to further push up the perceived prices of items closely tied to people's daily lives."
She continued, "In particular, he noted that pork prices have risen more than 8 percent from last year due to rising international grain prices and feed costs, and expressed concern that the burden on ordinary citizens and vulnerable groups could grow further."
Kang also referred to the recent murder of a female high school student in Gwangju and ordered the National Police Agency to conduct a thorough investigation and strengthen patrols in times and places vulnerable to crime. "Chief Kang expressed deep condolences over the incident," Ahn said. "He also conveyed words of comfort and solidarity to the bereaved family as well as to local students who are in shock and anxiety after losing a friend."
