Pres. Lee urges for emergency response system amid additional Middle East crisis

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President Lee Jae-myung presided over his first meeting with his senior aides and placed priority on preparations to respond to the broader potential fallout of the violence in the Middle East.

Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports.

Defining the crises in the Middle East as "urgent," the focus of President Lee's first meeting with his top aides at the start of the week was on these and their potential impact on the nation.

"All ministries, including the presidential office, should form an emergency response system for corresponding actions. Safety measures must be ready for our people in the region."

Also discussed were ways to tackle instability in the foreign exchange and financial markets.

Noting that already high prices might further inflict pain on the people if coupled with higher oil prices, Lee asked for additional measures with regard to the government's recent supplementary budget proposal, if needed, now awaiting approval at the National Assembly.

And as the president held this first meeting under a new government without a transition period, his message to them was specific.

"We are still organizing our team at the presidential office, and it will be difficult for everyone due to the lack of manpower. Still, as I always say, an hour you spend is worth 52 million hours."

On Sunday, President Lee Jae Myung decided not to attend the upcoming NATO summit this week in the Hague, hours after the U.S. bombed nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.

He considered participating in the summit, but after long consideration, a final call was made at the last minute.

Observers believe the latest incident could have complicated any possible talks between President Lee and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, with the U.S. deadline for tariff negotiations looming.

Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.