Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Thursday stressed the need for the government to step up efforts to broaden public support for its push to mend relations with Japan and President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to veto a controversial revision to the Grain Management Act.

The measures have been taken "only for the people and national interest," he said at the outset of a policy coordination meeting with ministers.

During an interpellation session at the National Assembly earlier this week, Han faced a barrage of strong criticism from opposition lawmakers, especially over the Yoon administration's plan to compensate some Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor via a Seoul-based public foundation, instead of direct involvement by Japanese firms that lost in related lawsuits.

The main opposition Democratic Party also decried Yoon's veto of the revision bill requiring the government to purchase surplus rice.

The prime minister asked relevant ministries to "pay special attention to public communication" so that the purpose of the government's policies "won't be misrepresented and misunderstood by the public."

Han, meanwhile, called for thorough public safety checks, mentioning the collapse of a bridge in Bundang, just southeast of Seoul, the previous day that left one killed and another injured.

Regarding South Korea's drive to foster its bio-health sector, he emphasized the importance of training related manpower.

To that effect, he added, the government plans to train 110,000 professionals in the field over the next five years. (Yonhap)