South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has declared that curbing inflation must be the government's top priority, responding to fresh data showing consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in 30 months last month.
The statement marks a significant escalation in the administration's rhetoric on price stability, signaling that policymakers are increasingly concerned about the persistence of cost pressures across the economy.
The finance chief has pledged to deploy the full range of available instruments, including fiscal measures and tax adjustments, to combat rising inflation.
This broad mandate suggests that the government is preparing to intervene more directly in markets where prices have been sticky, potentially targeting energy, food, or housing costs that have disproportionately affected household budgets.
The policy pivot comes as markets digest the implications of a more hawkish domestic stance.
While the Bank of Korea retains independence over monetary policy, the government's explicit commitment to using fiscal tools to manage inflation could influence market expectations for future rate decisions and fiscal discipline.