(LEAD) Lee says rebound in potential growth rates should lead to balanced growth

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(ATTN: UPDATES with president's remarks in last 2 paras)

SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that the recent rebound in the country's potential growth rates signals a recovery in the national economy's fundamentals and that the trend should help promote balanced growth of both large and small firms.

The president made the remarks at a meeting with his senior aides, citing a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report projecting the country's potential growth rate at 2.14 percent this year and 2.2 percent in 2027. The figures mark the first consecutive annual increases in about 40 years.

"The rebound in potential growth rates, which can be viewed as basic physical strength for an economy, is welcome news that indicates the foundation for the growth of our economy is getting stronger," Lee said.

The president stressed that this trend should serve as a steppingstone to promote sustainable, balanced growth by further solidifying the competitiveness of artificial intelligence and other advanced industries while focusing financial and policy resources on sectors that are slower to recover.

"In order for the rare rebound in potential growth rates to lead to qualitative improvements in the economic (conditions) of the people, (the country) should create an industrial ecosystem in which conglomerates and small and medium-sized firms can grow together," the president noted.

The concentration of growth only for conglomerates is feared to worsen economic polarization, which could in turn harm the national economy's potential growth capacity, he said, adding that this would be "undesirable" for smaller firms that account for 80 percent of total employment.

"The paradigm for mutual cooperation between conglomerates and smaller firms should be renewed so that they can grow together in a balanced manner to spearhead growth in people's livelihoods."

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Additionally, the president instructed officials to inspect safety management at key facilities that draw crowds and government readiness to respond to any crowd-related accidents ahead of autumn festivals, including Halloween.

"As even a small risk factor could lead to large-scale accidents at places where many people gather, thorough preparations are essential in advance," the president noted.

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(LEAD) Lee says rebound in potential growth rates should lead to balanced growth

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（注意：最后两段更新了总统的讲话）

首尔，10月22日（韩联社）——韩国总统李在明周四表示，该国潜在增长率近期的反弹表明国民经济基本面正在复苏，这一趋势应有助于促进大中小型企业的均衡发展。

总统在与高级助手的一次会议上发表了上述讲话，他援引了国际货币基金组织（IMF）最近的一份报告，该报告预测该国今年的潜在增长率为2.14%，2027年为2.2%。这些数字标志着该国近40年来首次连续年度增长。

李说：“潜在增长率的反弹，可以看作是一个经济体的基本实力，这是一个令人欣喜的消息，表明我国经济增长的基础正在变得更加稳固。”

总统强调，这一趋势应成为促进可持续、平衡增长的垫脚石，通过进一步巩固人工智能和其他先进产业的竞争力，同时将财政和政策资源集中用于复苏较慢的行业。

总统指出：“为了使潜在增长率的罕见反弹能够带来人民经济（状况）的质的改善，（国家）应该创建一个产业生态系统，让大型企业集团和中小企业能够共同发展。”

他表示，增长只集中在大型企业集团手中，这令人担忧会加剧经济两极分化，进而损害国民经济的潜在增长能力。他还补充说，这对占总就业人数 80% 的小型企业来说是“不可取的”。

“应更新大型企业集团与小型企业之间互利合作的模式，使它们能够以平衡的方式共同发展，从而引领人民生活水平的提高。”

2026年10月22日，韩国总统李在明在首尔青瓦台会见高级幕僚时发表讲话。（联社照片）（韩联社）

此外，总统指示官员们检查吸引人群的关键场所的安全管理情况，以及政府在秋季节日（包括万圣节）之前应对任何与人群有关的事故的准备情况。

总统指出：“即使是很小的风险因素也可能导致人流密集场所发生大规模事故，因此事先做好充分准备至关重要。”

李对潜在增长前景的“显著反弹”表示欢迎

韩国央行报告称，强劲的芯片出口预计将从明年开始带动私人消费。

（第三次）韩国央行在连续两次加息后维持利率在3%不变，暗示将继续收紧货币政策。

首尔计划通过主权财富基金推进长期数字基础设施项目。

（导语）李表示，潜在增长率的反弹应会带来平衡增长。