By Xu Aiying and Lee Jihae

President Moon Jae-in on June 29 said, "We must go beyond defensive responses in the face of a crisis. We must shift to a more proactive stance to turn the global supply chain crisis into a new opportunity for us." 

In a meeting of his senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae that he chaired on the first anniversary of Japan's imposition of trade sanctions on Korea, he said, "We have unwaveringly tackled Japan's provocative measures head on, turning it into a new opportunity instead."

The president also mentioned the country's goal of becoming a "powerhouse for materials and parts" and a "global production hub for high-tech industries." He urged the public and private sectors to cooperate to mobilize all of the nation's capabilities.

"The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the global economic downturn even more," he said. "We all must join forces and set out to surmount the national crisis together."

"Above all else, support from the National Assembly is urgently needed."

The president added, "I am once again calling on the Assembly to respond to the urgent requests of the people and businesses, who are ardently looking forward to the third supplementary budget." 

xuaiy@korea.kr