Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, third from right, presides over a pan-government meeting on measures to address supply chain issues at the Government Complex Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The government is expected to take a cautious approach in presenting an economic roadmap for next year, as state affairs remain in limbo following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

As part of its annual routine, the Ministry of Economy, along with other relevant ministries, will jointly announce the economic policy objectives for 2025 before the end of this year.

The ministry explained that the objectives will focus on four key goals: managing external credibility, addressing uncertainties in the commerce sector, accelerating industrial restructuring, and stabilizing the public's livelihood.

However, these objectives are likely to end up as little more than a reiteration of existing policies, particularly those that are straightforward and uncontroversial, according to experts, Sunday.

The 2025 economic roadmap will undoubtedly address pressing issues, both domestically and internationally, such as the rise of trade protectionism under a second Donald Trump presidency and the struggles of faltering small businesses.

However, experts believe that the proposed measures will likely focus on short-term solutions, lacking the forward-looking and often bold policy directions that were previously pursued by the Yoon administration.

“It is not surprising that the finance ministry will remain passive in formulating the 2025 economic policy plan, considering that Yoon's fate remains uncertain,” a researcher at a private economic think tank said.

He referred to the National Assembly's passage of a motion, Dec. 14, on Yoon's impeachment, which will be finalized by the Constitutional Court within the next six months at the latest.

Under the circumstances, Joo Won, director of Hyundai Research Institute, projected that frontloading next year's budget will be among “a handful of viable options” that the finance ministry can prioritize in the economic roadmap.

“The government has little momentum to move forward concerning the economy before the Constitutional Court's decision is made,” Joo said.

Ha Joon-kyung, a professor of economics at Hanyang University, believes that policies aimed at opening the door further for international businesses are likely to top the list of policy directives.

The policies include incentives for foreign investors and highly-skilled professionals from abroad.

“People would hardly argue about going global, especially when the country's economy is slowing down and is grappling with a demographic crisis,” Ha said.

Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, said the opposition-dominated Assembly is "another reason for the finance ministry to pursue a hassle-free economic roadmap," as the policy objectives require parliamentary approval to take effect.

Yoon's economic vision centered on a belt-tightening approach in exchange for market-driven growth.

On the other hand, main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung advocates for active government support, including subsidies, to stimulate the economy. Lee is also the clear frontrunner in the upcoming presidential election.

"You don't want to create a plan with little chance of being realized, which would only escalate political disputes," Shin said.

On the international front, Korea remains vulnerable to heightened U.S. trade protectionism.

Nevertheless, Shin suggested that the finance ministry may propose immediate measures that can be implemented over the next few months, rather than for the entirety of 2025.

The professor drew an analogy between economic roadmaps under ousted former President Park Geun-hye and Yoon.

The finance ministry introduced the economic roadmap in December 2016, despite Park's impeachment in the same month. The roadmap was eventually scrapped after the Constitutional Court upheld Park's impeachment, leading to her removal from office.

Regarding sluggish private spending and the people's livelihood, experts believe the finance ministry may maintain the current level of support.