Finance minister stresses tackling disparities for sustainable growth at IMFC

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BANGKOK, Oct. 18 (Yonhap) -- Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il has stressed the need to address disparities to achieve sustainable growth during a meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), his office said Sunday.

Lee attended the meeting in Bangkok on Saturday as a committee member during the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, sharing his views on ways to address global economic challenges, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

The South Korean official discussed ways to share outcomes of achievements made by artificial intelligence (AI), along with the IMF's policy directions.

During the gathering, the IMF noted the global economy is showing signs of recovery but continues to face heightened uncertainty and downside risks.

The IMF highlighted the need for countries to adopt policies to ensure macroeconomic and financial stability while pursuing structural reforms to support AI adoption and digital transformation.

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il (R) signs a letter of intent with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (C) in Bangkok on Oct. 17, 2026, in this photo released by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The Washington-based organization called for international coordination to address global imbalances and debt problems in low-income countries.

Lee endorsed the IMF's recommendation to maintain fiscal soundness while enhancing the private sector's growth potential, noting South Korea is pursuing responsible fiscal policies while promoting growth.

The finance minister stressed addressing disparities plays a key role in achieving sustainable growth, noting South Korea is working to narrow gaps in three major areas -- housing, jobs and financial services -- to support vulnerable groups.

On the sidelines of the event, Lee met separately with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz, briefing them on South Korea's policy efforts to pursue sustainable growth and address disparities.

In response, Georgieva noted the IMF had recently raised its growth forecast for South Korea and described the country's combination of mildly restrictive monetary policy and neutral fiscal policy as appropriate.

Last week, the IMF revised up South Korea's growth outlook for this year by 0.7 percentage point to 3.3 percent compared to its July projection.

She noted the Future Fund, set to launch next year using strong tax revenues from the chip industry, could serve as a buffer against future changes in economic conditions.

Lee and Georgieva signed a letter of intent (LOI) to pursue continued cooperation on the AI Hub initiative, which aims to use AI technologies to address the complex crises facing the international community, with the participation of international organizations and multilateral development banks.

Lee said the IMF's participation in the global AI hub would provide a platform for narrowing the global technology gap, noting South Korea intends to provide continued support to strengthen the digital capabilities of vulnerable countries.

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il (R) shakes hands with IMF First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz in Bangkok on Oct. 17, 2026, in this photo released by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

colin@yna.co.kr (END)

Finance minister stresses tackling disparities for sustainable growth at IMFC

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曼谷，10月18日（韩联社）——韩国财政部长李亨日办公室周日表示，李亨日在国际货币与金融委员会（IMFC）会议上强调，需要解决差距问题，以实现可持续增长。

据财政经济部消息，李显龙总理周六以委员会成员的身份出席了在曼谷举行的国际货币基金组织和世界银行集团年会，并就如何应对全球经济挑战发表了看法。

这位韩国官员探讨了如何分享人工智能（AI）取得的成就成果，以及国际货币基金组织的政策方向。

在会议期间，国际货币基金组织指出，全球经济正在显现复苏迹象，但仍面临高度不确定性和下行风险。

国际货币基金组织强调，各国需要采取政策以确保宏观经济和金融稳定，同时进行结构性改革以支持人工智能的应用和数字化转型。

2026年10月17日，韩国财政部长李亨日（右）在曼谷与国际货币基金组织总裁克里斯塔利娜·格奥尔基耶娃（中）签署意向书。此照片由韩国财政经济部发布。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

这家总部位于华盛顿的组织呼吁国际社会协调解决全球失衡和低收入国家的债务问题。

李赞同国际货币基金组织关于在保持财政稳健的同时增强私营部门增长潜力的建议，并指出韩国正在推行负责任的财政政策，同时促进经济增长。

财政部长强调，解决差距在实现可持续增长方面发挥着关键作用，并指出韩国正在努力缩小住房、就业和金融服务这三大领域的差距，以支持弱势群体。

在活动间隙，李显龙分别会见了国际货币基金组织总裁克里斯塔利娜·格奥尔基耶娃和第一副总裁丹·卡茨，向他们介绍了韩国为追求可持续增长和解决差距而采取的政策措施。

对此，格奥尔基耶娃指出，国际货币基金组织最近提高了对韩国的增长预期，并称韩国采取的温和紧缩的货币政策和中性的财政政策相结合的做法是合适的。

上周，国际货币基金组织将韩国今年的经济增长预期上调了0.7个百分点，至3.3%，高于其7月份的预测。

她指出，未来基金将于明年启动，资金来自芯片行业的强劲税收，可以作为应对未来经济状况变化的缓冲。

李和格奥尔基耶娃签署了一份意向书，以继续在人工智能中心倡议方面开展合作。该倡议旨在利用人工智能技术解决国际社会面临的复杂危机，国际组织和多边开发银行将参与其中。

李表示，国际货币基金组织参与全球人工智能中心将为缩小全球技术差距提供平台，并指出韩国打算继续提供支持，以加强脆弱国家的数字化能力。

2026年10月17日，韩国财政部长李亨日（右）在曼谷与国际货币基金组织第一副总裁丹·卡茨握手。这张照片由韩国财政经济部发布。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

colin@yna.co.kr (完)

财政部长在国际货币基金组织会议上强调，要消除差距以实现可持续增长。