South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance said, after an emergency economy ministers' meeting, that the government will step up measures to contain the impact of the Middle East conflict on the domestic economy while advancing structural initiatives. The decisions include a plan to reduce agriculture-sector safety accidents by 25 percent by 2030 from 2024 levels and a fast-tracked KRW 400 billion advanced data centre in Jangseong County in South Jeolla under the Regional Revitalization Investment Fund. The farm safety plan would require body-detection sensors on shredders and protective structures for forklift and excavator operators. It also expands special health examinations for women farmers to ages 51 to 80 from 51 to 70 and introduces a mobile safety diagnosis system for foreign workers. In its macro assessment, the ministry cited Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forecasts that raised South Korea's 2026 growth projection to 2.6 percent from 1.7 percent and lowered the general government debt ratio forecast to 48.2 percent of GDP from 52.0 percent for 2026 and to 50.2 percent from 55.0 percent for 2027. It also pointed to an April current account surplus of USD 28.29 billion, the third straight month above USD 20 billion, and a record USD 102.67 billion surplus for January to April. For the data centre project, the government will expedite related procedures, including an exemption from local fiscal investment review, with completion targeted within 2027 and operations due to start in March 2028.

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