South Korea's top economic policymaker on Thursday pledged to explore ways to allow people to take out loans within their repayment means, while reining in the rapidly growing household debt as much as possible.

Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki made the pledge at a meeting with the central bank chief and financial regulators seeking countermeasures to rising household debt and inspecting the economic and financial situation, as well as external risks.

Hong said based on the consensus that the rapidly expanding household debt amid ample liquidity in tackling the pandemic could pose a risk to the economy, the participants planned to discuss ways to manage the debt.

The minister said the government is set to announce additional debt-curbing measures in October.

Hong cautioned against external risks, such as uncertainty over the U.S. Federal Reserve's tapering of bond-buying programs, concerns about inflation amid a jump in global oil and raw material prices, and the Evergrande Group's default crisis in China.