Finance minister calls for efforts to address global imbalances at G20 meeting

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il addressed the pressing issue of global imbalances during the Group of 20 (G20) financial policymakers' meeting in Bangkok, as reported by his office on Friday. The finance minister took part in a gathering of G20 nations' finance ministers in Thailand on Thursday, coinciding with the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. This marked Lee's inaugural appearance at a significant international conference since assuming office last month.

During the G20 meeting, Lee emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle a range of global economic challenges. He highlighted the need to address supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and explore innovative growth opportunities enabled by emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI).

In his address, Lee underscored the significance of bolstering supply chain resilience, safeguarding vulnerable populations, and making proactive investments in future growth engines.

The discussions at the G20 meeting also encompassed crucial matters like global imbalances, government debt, and strategies to enhance financial stability. Global imbalances refer to an uneven distribution of economic power among nations, where certain countries accumulate excessive wealth or resources at the expense of others, leading to potential instability in the global economy.