South Korea approves $17.7 billion budget to counter economic fallout of Middle East conflict

South Korea’s National Assembly has cleared a $17.7 billion supplementary budget aimed at addressing the economic shockwaves from the ongoing Middle East conflict. After a decisive vote of 214 to 11, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties agreed on measures to aid households and industries battered by surging oil prices. Cash assistance will reach an estimated 35.8 million citizens, with payouts scaled by income level, while 200 billion won is earmarked to secure naphtha supplies crit