Lee Jae-myung on Middle East War: Don't Relax Vigilance, Hopes for Swift Return of Korean Ships
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned against optimism regarding the Middle East ceasefire, ordering urgent diplomatic efforts for stranded ships, securing resources, and demanding officials 'sleep less' to rapidly pivot to an AI and renewable-driven economy.
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- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 17:41
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According to a Yonhap News Agency report, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated today while presiding over a senior staff meeting at the Blue House that although the US and Iran reached a 2-week ceasefire agreement, bringing a new phase to the worsening Middle East war, "it is too early to be optimistic about the outcome now. Even if the negotiations proceed smoothly, the shockwaves from the war will last for quite some time."
Lee emphasized that the government must not relax its vigilance and must carefully and preemptively push forward countermeasures for all possible scenarios.
Lee pointed out that the most urgent task currently is to ensure the safe return of South Korean ships and crew members still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. "Mobilize all our diplomatic capabilities and, based on close cooperation with the international community, actively engage in negotiations." Lee also instructed all-out efforts to secure additional supplies of crude oil and core raw materials, as well as proper management of plastic bags, medical supplies, and more.
Lee mentioned that regardless of when and how the Middle East war ends, a world entirely different from the past will emerge after the war. Full preparations must be made, including accelerating the diversification of energy sources, transitioning to a society centered on renewable energy, promoting industrial structure innovation, and speeding up the cultivation of future growth engines such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
Therefore, Lee also hopes that the government and civil servants will redouble their efforts. He stressed, "Although civil servants work hard, the speed must be doubled. You can't just say a plan takes 6 months or 1 year at every turn. How can we survive this era of drastic changes like that? Everyone is already working hard, but let's sleep a little less." (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150409
Lee emphasized that the government must not relax its vigilance and must carefully and preemptively push forward countermeasures for all possible scenarios.
Lee pointed out that the most urgent task currently is to ensure the safe return of South Korean ships and crew members still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. "Mobilize all our diplomatic capabilities and, based on close cooperation with the international community, actively engage in negotiations." Lee also instructed all-out efforts to secure additional supplies of crude oil and core raw materials, as well as proper management of plastic bags, medical supplies, and more.
Lee mentioned that regardless of when and how the Middle East war ends, a world entirely different from the past will emerge after the war. Full preparations must be made, including accelerating the diversification of energy sources, transitioning to a society centered on renewable energy, promoting industrial structure innovation, and speeding up the cultivation of future growth engines such as artificial intelligence and robotics.
Therefore, Lee also hopes that the government and civil servants will redouble their efforts. He stressed, "Although civil servants work hard, the speed must be doubled. You can't just say a plan takes 6 months or 1 year at every turn. How can we survive this era of drastic changes like that? Everyone is already working hard, but let's sleep a little less." (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150409