Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has said the government is considering raising this year's economic growth target from the current 2.2 percent following stronger-than-expected performances in the first quarter. During a meeting held with reporters in Tbilisi on Saturday, Choi said the government is making preparations to adjust the growth target, noting that other economic institutions are likely to take similar actions. The remark came as South Korea's economy grew at the fastest pace in over two years in the first quarter of the year on the back of a continued recovery in exports and a rise in construction investment. The country's real gross domestic product (GDP), a key measure of economic growth, increased at a higher-than-expected rate of 1.3 percent on-quarter in the January-March period. Amid the robust data, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently revised this year's growth outlook on Asia's No. 4 economy to 2.6 percent, up 0.4 percentage point from its previous estimat e. "Although it may be too early for the people to feel it, it is encouraging that indicators, including exports and domestic production, are improving," Choi said, noting the government will nevertheless continue to stay vigilant. Choi noted South Korea is expected to achieve a GDP per capita of US$40,000 during the current administration, although the country needs to continue to monitor the growth rate and foreign exchange rates. In terms of inflation, the finance minister said the government is making efforts to stabilize it in the low to mid-2 percent range in the second half. South Korea's inflation rose 2.9 percent in April on-year, marking the first time in three months that the index fell below 3 percent. Touching on the main opposition party's proposal to provide cash handouts of 250,000 won (US$183) to the entire population, Choi said that the government should instead prioritize support for those in need. Choi was visiting Georgia to participate in the 27th ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers' and Cent ral Bank Governors' Meeting. Source: Yonhap News Agency