Choi Sang-mok, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, urged Kang Min-soo, the Commissioner of the National Tax Service, to ensure that tax support for the areas affected by the wildfire is carried out without disruption.
On the 26th, Deputy Prime Minister Choi chaired a meeting with heads of external agencies at the Deputy Prime Minister's office in the Government Sejong Center. Attendees included Commissioner Kang Min-soo, Commissioner Ko Kwang-hyo of the Tariff Service, Administrator Lim Gi-geun of the Procurement Service, and Vice Administrator Ahn Hyung-jun of the Statistics Korea. Commissioner Lee Hyung-il of Statistics Korea could not attend as he was participating in the 'Bank of Korea and Statistics Korea Joint Forum' held in Seoul, so Vice Administrator Ahn attended in his place.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi noted, "As uncertainties in the global trade environment and political and economic uncertainties increase, difficulties in the livelihoods of the public are also deepening," and said, "We must actively respond to the intensification of the global trade war and strengthen support to enhance industrial competitiveness."
Deputy Prime Minister Choi emphasized to Commissioner Kang particularly the need for seamless implementation of tax support for small business owners in the wildfire-affected areas in North Gyeongsang Province. He urged, "Please manage the taxation carefully so that it does not become a burden on the public's economic activities."
He added, "We must respond strictly to tax evasion related to real estate, such as irregular donations, false transactions, and down transactions, especially in overheating markets," and that "practices in the marriage, childbirth, and education sectors that evade taxes through irregular cash transactions should be corrected, even while placing a significant burden on the younger generation."
Commissioner Ko Kwang-hyo was noted that, "The uncertainty in the trade environment is increasing as the U.S. government's tariff policy impacts are materializing," emphasizing the tariff agency's efforts to support exporting companies. Deputy Prime Minister Choi specifically directed, "Actively support domestic exporting companies regarding item classification and certificate of origin." He also requested strengthened support for the rapid customs clearance of allocated tariff items and increased efforts to block illegal harmful goods such as narcotics.
To Administrator Lim Gi-geun, he said, "The public procurement market has expanded to over 200 trillion won annually, growing into an important economic sector with participation from over 570,000 corporations," and he asked that they ensure thorough implementation of the next-generation national market system, which has been completely revamped based on digital new technologies.
He said to Statistics Korea, "Please ensure accurate and timely production of statistics and the expansion of statistical infrastructure."