Seoul: Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok met with the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Seoul on Thursday, pledging efforts to prevent excessive concerns for investors following the martial law debacle earlier this week, the finance ministry said. According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting with Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas came as financial authorities have rushed to stabilize local markets following President Yoon Suk Yeol's emergency martial law declaration on Tuesday, which was lifted soon after as the National Assembly passed a resolution to reverse it. During the discussion, Choi emphasized the government's commitment to maintaining close communication with global financial institutions, including the IMF, to prevent excessive concerns among investors both at home and abroad. On Thursday, the country's benchmark stock index, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, fell 22.15 points, or 0.90 percent, to close at 2,441.85, extending its losing streak to a second session. The South K orean won was trading at 1,415.10 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 5 won from the previous session. Gourinchas, who has served as the IMF's chief economist since 2022, is in Seoul to attend a conference hosted by the South East Asian Central Banks.