(LEAD) Seoul's finance chief calls for global efforts on supply chain stability at G20 meeting

▲ Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol speaks during an emergency economic headquarters meeting held at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington on April 16, 2026, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol (R) shakes hands with Roland Lescure, France's minister delegate for industry, ahead of their meeting in Washington on April 15, 2026, in this photo provided by Koo's office on April 17. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) finance minister-G20 meeting

(LEAD) Seoul's finance chief calls for global efforts on supply chain stability at G20 meeting

(ATTN: ADDS separate meetings with global counterparts in last 6 paras, additional photo)

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol has urged major economies to work together to bolster global supply chains and reinforce economic resilience amid the Middle East crisis, according to his office Friday.

Koo made the call during the Group of 20 (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting held in Washington on Thursday (U.S. time), as the conflict, which began late February following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has disrupted global supply chains and unsettled financial markets.

"The Middle East crisis has heightened uncertainty in the global economy and financial markets, potentially acting as another constraint on economic growth," Koo said, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

"Countries should limit spillover effects on the real economy through swift policy action and close international coordination. At the G20 level, it is necessary to explore ways to secure global supply chains and support the recovery of the world economy," he added.

Addressing global imbalances, Koo said South Korea will continue to play a mediating role between advanced and emerging economies.

"Excessive and persistent imbalances among nations could pose another risk to the global economy," he said. "Cooperation among G20 members and other partners is essential to effectively prevent and manage such risks."

Koo also emphasized the need to strengthen the foundations for future growth by expanding investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and pursuing regulatory innovation.

On the sidelines of the gathering, Koo held separate talks with his counterparts and economic delegates from France, Australia and Uzbekistan.

Roland Lescure, France's minister delegate for industry, invited Koo to the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Finance Ministers' Meeting in Paris next month and called on Seoul to play an active role in addressing economic uncertainties stemming from the Middle East conflict, the ministry said.

In his separate meetings with Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, Koo highlighted that the countries are key partners for South Korea in supply chains, particularly for critical minerals, and proposed further expanding strategic partnerships.

Koo also met with Harvey Schwartz, chief executive officer (CEO) of Carlyle, one of the world's largest asset managers, and requested continued interest and active investment in South Korea.

The minister held separate meetings with World Bank (WB) President Ajay Banga, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Zou Jiayi and President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Ilan Goldfajn to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation.

Koo is scheduled to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Friday (U.S. time), according to the ministry.

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