Choi Sang-mok said, "The growth rate is likely to be slightly below the potential growth rate next year...Foreign exchange rate, domestic politics, strong dollar, half effect"

[Anchor]
Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choi Sang-mok predicted that the nation's economic growth rate is likely to be slightly below the potential growth rate next year.

As for the surge in the exchange rate after the martial law, domestic politics and the strong dollar were estimated to have affected by half.

Reporter Oh In-seok on the report.

[Reporter]
Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choi Sang-mok, who visited the press room of the Sejong Government Complex, said, "As a member of the State Council, I feel responsible for failing to prevent martial law on December 3 as a result."

Regarding the current economic situation, he said that sentiment has been dampened by the recent political situation amid continued sluggish domestic demand, adding that various uncertainties are expanding.

[Choi Sang-mok / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance: Due to the large number of downside risks, next year's growth outlook is inevitable, and it seems likely to be slightly below the potential growth rate.]

Considering that the potential growth rate of our economy is around 2%, it means that it will only grow in the late 1% range.

Regarding the possibility of creating an extra budget in the first quarter of next year, he reaffirmed his existing position that "early execution of the main budget is the priority."

The priority is to ensure that next year's budget will be implemented from January 1, but 11.6 trillion won, including welfare and SOC, will be used in advance from the second quarter to the first quarter.

Deputy Prime Minister Choi analyzed that domestic politics and the strong dollar have affected the exchange rate that has soared since the December 3 martial law.

[Choi Sang-mok / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance: The Bank of Korea believes that about half of the (exchange rate) rise is due to political events and the other half is due to the strong dollar.]

He stressed that it is very important for foreign credibility to show that the ruling and opposition parties' consensus drawing system works, saying that he will try to pass the National Assembly early next year at the latest.

Deputy Prime Minister Choi avoided an immediate answer to the martial law order document, which reportedly contained the suspension of the National Assembly's operating expenses.

[Choi Sang-mok / Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance: I've read everything I've said at the plenary session. I have nothing more to say. I've told you all about the data submitted to the investigative agency, and I think it's something you should ask the investigative agency about the contents of the data.

Regarding the prospect of Choi being the acting president and prime minister Han Deok-soo's possible impeachment, he said he is doing his best to manage the credibility of foreign countries stably.

This is YTN Oh In-seok.

Filmmaker: Jeong Chul-woo
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video: Lee Jung-wook