Government launches price-stability task force through Sept. 27 ahead of Chuseok

The Ministry of Interior and Safety held the "7th Central-Local Policy Council of 2026" at Government Complex Seoul on Friday, discussing key issues to be pursued jointly by the central and local governments since the launch of the ninth elected local government term.

The council brought together the Ministry of Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and other relevant ministries, along with deputy heads of metropolitan and provincial governments. The agenda covered three areas requiring central-local cooperation: measures to stabilize livelihoods during the Chuseok holiday, follow-up actions on the enactment of the Social Solidarity Economy Framework Act, and the expansion of standalone smoke detector distribution.

With the Chuseok holiday approaching next week, the government designated a special price-stability period through Sept. 27, activating a price-stability task force and launching joint central-local on-site inspections.

A concentrated volunteer service period will also run through Wednesday to promote a culture of sharing. To ease the burden on households and boost domestic demand, the government will support an increase in the discount rate and purchase limit for local gift vouchers.

Given the surge in traffic and large crowds expected at traditional markets and public facilities during the holiday, the government pledged tight safety management. A 24-hour situation management system linking the Ministry of Interior and Safety, relevant agencies and local governments will be maintained through the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room, with a pan-government response system ready to activate immediately in the event of a disaster.

The meeting also addressed follow-up measures stemming from the enactment of the Social Solidarity Economy Framework Act on Tuesday.

In preparation for the law taking effect next March, the Ministry of Interior and Safety will draft subordinate legislation and continue monitoring the progress of the "Comprehensive Plan for Social Solidarity Economy Development" announced last June.

Local governments agreed to work alongside the central government to help social solidarity economy policies take root in their regions — through expanding dedicated departments and staffing, establishing regional committees, revising related ordinances, and participating in and identifying social solidarity economy activation projects.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety also asked local governments to expand distribution of standalone smoke detectors to strengthen fire safety management in aging housing. The Ministry of Health and Welfare urged local governments to prepare local budget allocations for the expanded child-welcoming support payments and basic child allowances set to be rolled out in July next year. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs called on local governments to rationalize related ordinances ahead of the implementation of improved laying-hen stocking density measures.

Minister Yun Ho-jung stressed "all-round cooperation between the central and local governments in the ninth elected term under the shared goal of making the Republic of Korea irreplaceable," and extended Chuseok greetings, saying: "I hope you can set aside, even briefly, the big and small worries of work, studies, family and livelihood, and enjoy a peaceful Chuseok with your loved ones."