Did the Government Really Hold Emergency Meetings During the Middle East Crisis? Find Out Now!

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The Prime Minister’s Office has issued a statement refuting claims made by Kim Eo-jun on his YouTube show on May 5th. Kim had alleged that no emergency meetings were held regarding the Middle East crisis during the President’s overseas trip.

In a press briefing, the Prime Minister’s Office urged media outlets to prioritize national interests and factual reporting. They emphasized that inaccurate coverage of government activities can lead to public confusion and misunderstanding.

According to the office, the government convened daily interministerial emergency meetings from March 1-4, immediately following the outbreak of the Middle East situation. These meetings were held to coordinate responses during President Lee Jae-myung’s diplomatic tour.

The office detailed that these meetings involved all relevant ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Defense, Finance, Industry, and Maritime Affairs. They focused on protecting citizens abroad, bolstering security measures, mitigating economic impacts, and preventing public unrest. Public briefings were conducted after each meeting.

On March 3rd, a Cabinet meeting was held to thoroughly review and discuss response strategies related to the Middle East situation. The government also organized a meeting of overseas mission heads and mobilized a comprehensive governmental effort to address the crisis.

The statement highlighted that the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs led an interagency emergency response team. This team monitored the real economy, energy sector, financial markets, and Middle East developments. Additionally, the Foreign Ministry’s Second Vice Minister and Consular Affairs Bureau held situation briefings on February 28th and March 1st, 2nd, and 4th to prepare and review plans for protecting nationals abroad.

The Prime Minister’s Office assured that the government will continue to closely monitor the Middle East situation and maintain an active, whole-of-government response.

In contrast, Kim had claimed on his YouTube show that the fall in asset prices, including stocks, following the Middle East crisis, was exacerbated by the lack of leadership presence. He stated, “There wasn’t even an agile Cabinet meeting responding during the President’s trip,” suggesting that the absence of reassuring meetings amplified public anxiety.

Kim further remarked, “Because the President is on a foreign trip now, there are no strategy meetings. What are we supposed to do? There’s no news, and I’ve been anxious all day.”