Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Minister of Economy and Finance reportedly went as far as Incheon International Airport to depart for the Group of 20 (G20) finance ministers and Central Bank governors' meeting in the United States, only to cancel the trip and turn back in an episode that came to light.
Koo, the deputy prime minister, departed via Incheon International Airport on the 30th to attend the G20 finance ministers and Central Bank governors' meeting to be held for two days from the 31st (local time) in Asheville, North Carolina. That morning, Koo arrived at the airport, but the Ministry of Economy and Finance canceled the distribution of the deputy prime minister's G20 departure press release around 10 a.m., then distributed it again around 11 a.m.
This led to speculation that, just before boarding, Koo received word that he was included in a Cabinet reshuffle and canceled his U.S. schedule. In fact, around 11:30 a.m., the presidential office announced First Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Lee Hyung-il as the new deputy prime minister nominee.
A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, "In the process of checking another flight for the deputy prime minister on the morning of the day, there was some confusion, and we notified the cancellation of the press release distribution and then redistributed it," adding, "It is not true that the G20 trip itself was canceled and then reversed due to the Cabinet reshuffle."
As scheduled, Koo arrived in the United States and is set to hold bilateral meetings with key officials from major countries, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and attend the G20 finance ministers and Central Bank governors' meeting.