Park to host meeting of economy-related ministers

June 27, 2016
This photo, taken on June 27, 2016, shows President Park Geun-hye (2nd from R) speaking during a meeting with her senior secretaries at her office Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap)

This photo, taken on June 27, 2016, shows President Park Geun-hye (2nd from R) speaking during a meeting with her senior secretaries at her office Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, June 28 (Yonhap) — President Park Geun-hye will host a meeting of economy-related ministers Tuesday to discuss measures on dealing with internal and external economic challenges, including the aftermath of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), her office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

On Monday, Park called on her government to maintain a “watertight” crisis management system and take “all necessary measures” to minimize any negative impact from Brexit-fueled uncertainties.

“Our economy faces a critical moment now. We can no longer dither and step back,” she said during a meeting of her senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae, noting that she would hold the economic meeting to discuss the policy direction for the second half of the year.

The meeting will also be attended by the members of the National Economic Advisory Council. Aside from the Brexit issue, the participants are expected to touch on the ongoing restructuring of the financially troubled shipping and shipbuilding industries.

Later in the day, Park will meet with the “Wise Men’s Group” in charge of North Korea’s human rights issues. During the meeting, she is expected to discuss the latest missile provocations by the communist regime.

Last week, Pyongyang launched what are believed to be two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles. One launch failed, but the other flew some 400 kilometers and reached an altitude of about 1,400 km in an indication of some progress in the North’s missile development efforts.

In recent weeks, Park has continued to stress her resolve to make North Korea opt for denuclearization through strong sanctions and pressure, warning that Pyongyang would only face isolation and “self-destruction” should it stick to its nuclear program.