Seoul, April 14 (QNA) – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged on Tuesday nations involved in the war in West Asia to take a courageous step toward peace, with a fragile ceasefire deal between the US and Iran hanging in the balance and threatening the global economy.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Lee asked “the warring parties to take a courageous step toward peace that the world desperately wants based on the principles of the protection of universal human rights and lessons from history.”

With the war in West Asia entering its seventh week, Lee also called on the government to explore alternative supply chains and pursue structural reforms to address vulnerabilities exposed by uncertainties stemming from the ongoing war.

Lee instructed the government to maintain the current emergency posture to brace for volatility in global energy markets and supply chains.

Lee also called for the swift implementation of a KRW 26.2 trillion (USD 17.7 billion) supplementary budget aimed at supporting those affected by the war, stressing the urgency of distributing funds to support people’s livelihoods. (QNA)