Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the acting president, said on the 4th, “Maintain a thorough response posture to prepare for North Korea's provocations and propaganda that can take advantage of the chaotic political situation.”
On the same day, the acting Prime Minister held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting at 2 p.m. and noted that “the security situation facing the Republic of Korea is more severe than ever.”
Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho, acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho, acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Ko Gi-dong, Director of the National Intelligence Service Cho Tae-young, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-kyun, Director of the National Policy Coordination Office Bang Gi-seon, Director of the National Security Office Shin Won-sik, Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, Deputy Director of the National Security Office In Seong-hwan, and Deputy Director of the National Security Office Wang Yoon-jong attended the meeting.
The acting Prime Minister stated, “We must exert our utmost efforts to protect the safety of the Republic of Korea and the life and security of our citizens,” and emphasized the need to continue maintaining the cooperative framework established with the new U.S. administration in the field of diplomacy and security. He requested that necessary measures related to new issues, such as mutual tariffs, be addressed meticulously in collaboration with the domestic industry on a government-wide basis.
He added, “Please actively respond to the impact of the close ties between Russia and North Korea on our security and consistently promote efforts to enhance the freedom and human rights of North Korean residents,” stating that “in this severe situation, the diplomacy and security ministries must unite and do their utmost to protect the safety of the state and the citizens without wavering.”