Changyong Lee Presides Over F4 Meeting for the First Time Instead of Acting President Sangmok Choi

Changyong Lee, Governor of the Bank of Korea (pictured), held an emergency macroeconomic and financial issues meeting at the Seoul Bank Hall on the morning of the 30th, expressing concern that "political instability could negatively affect Korea's external credibility."

This is the first time Governor Lee has presided over this meeting, known as the 'F4 Meeting,' instead of Acting President Sangmok Choi (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance). Concerns are rising that the economic team centered around Acting President Choi is overloaded due to the unprecedented impeachment of the President and Prime Minister, coupled with the Muan International Airport passenger plane disaster. During the meeting with Byunghwan Kim, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, and Bokhyun Lee, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, Governor Lee noted, "The international community is closely watching whether Korea's national control tower can regain stability," and warned, "If the current situation persists, it could negatively impact external credibility and add direct and indirect shocks to our economy."

At the same time, Acting President Choi held the 4th meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters at the Seoul Government Complex. Acting President Choi is handling 'four roles in one person,' including Acting President, Acting Prime Minister, and Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters due to the Jeju Air disaster. There is speculation inside and outside the government that the F4 Meeting may be organized around Governor Lee for the time being.

Reporter Gang Jin-kyu josep@hankyung.com