▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok answers lawmakers' questions during an interpellation session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 10, 2026. (Yonhap)

PM-economy

PM says revitalizing economic growth more important than managing national debt

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Tuesday revitalizing the nation's sluggish economy is more important than managing national debts, adding that the level of debts remains "manageable."

Kim made the remarks during a parliamentary interpellation session at the National Assembly, in response to an opposition party lawmaker's question about the government's debt management plans.

"I believe that turning economic growth from negative (to positive) is far more important than national debt, and that is where we are concentrating our efforts," Kim said.

Kim said the country's total debt remains at a "manageable" level compared to other countries, though he stressed that the government still takes the issue seriously.

"I believe restoring the growth rate and managing the debt level is the most appropriate policy at this point," he said.

According to data released by the Bank of Korea, the South Korean economy expanded 1 percent last year amid a slump in the construction sector.

In the October-December period, Asia's fourth-largest economy unexpectedly contracted 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, marking its first contraction in six months.

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