Prosecutors and Real Estate 'Reform Drive', Clear Message from President Moon

New Year's Press Conference Explains Current Issues in Politics, Society, Economy, and Diplomacy & Security... "Dialogue Between South-North and North-US Is Not at a Pessimistic Stage"

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference on the 14th, marking the Year of the Metal Rat (Gyeongja Year), was an occasion to explain concrete implementation plans related to the national agenda keyword, "Definite Change, Korea 2020." Questions from reporters covering the Blue House poured in regarding major issues in politics and society, livelihood and economy, and diplomacy and security.

Earlier, President Moon had repeatedly expressed his determination to deliver government achievements that the public can feel. He appealed for the public not to lose their "trust" in the Moon Jae-in administration, promising to make definite changes felt in inclusion, innovation, and fairness. The key issue is whether the divided public opinion can be united to secure momentum for governance.

The social conflicts formed through last year's "Cho Kuk War" remain seeds of division as the year changes. Recently, following the personnel reshuffle by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, the Blue House and the prosecution exposed a discordant atmosphere, creating an unsightly scene. The press conference that day also focused heavily on the issue of prosecutorial reform, including the trust in Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "If Prosecutor General Yoon takes the lead in reforming the prosecution's organizational culture and investigative practices, he will gain much more trust from the people." Notably, he supported Minister Choo's authority regarding the personnel controversy by stating, "The right to personnel appointments must be respected." However, President Moon left room for interpretation by saying he does not want to evaluate Prosecutor General Yoon based on a single case. In other words, while not withdrawing trust in Yoon, he called for changes in the prosecution.

The economy was also a focal point at this year's New Year's press conference. It was a call to realize President Moon's campaign pledge to fatten the wallets of the people. President Moon emphasized that the warmth of income-led growth is gradually spreading and pledged to increase the public's sense of this.

In particular, President Moon's emphasis on firmly controlling real estate is noteworthy. The message that strong measures will be continuously introduced expresses his determination to produce results related to real estate issues within the Moon administration's term.

Additionally, the issue of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's visit, mentioned in the New Year's address, was also a focus of attention. President Moon reiterated the joint efforts by South and North Korea to create conditions for Kim's visit.

President Moon expressed his plan to further strengthen inter-Korean cooperation to promote North Korea-U.S. dialogue, but the cold atmosphere from the North remains. Regarding this, President Moon said, "Neither inter-Korean nor North Korea-U.S. talks can be considered optimistic at this time, but it is not a stage for pessimism either."

On the 14th, citizens are watching the live broadcast of President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference in the waiting room of Seoul Station, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In particular, President Moon evaluated U.S. President Donald Trump's sending of a birthday congratulatory message in the form of a personal letter to Kim Jong-un as "a very good idea." North Korea's response also showed that the door to dialogue has not been closed, indicating room for improvement.

President Moon took a breather after the National Assembly approved new Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 13th and resolved issues such as the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecution, but the burden of solving numerous pending issues remains. Depending on the results of the 21st general election on April 15, the Moon administration's momentum is expected to fluctuate.

From breaking the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. talks to restoring economic vitality that the public can feel, none of these tasks are easy. President Moon defined this year as the beginning of the second half of his term and pledged as follows:

"I will do my best in the second half of my term without losing my initial resolve. I will make every effort so that the hopeful new sprouts created in innovation, inclusion, fairness, and peace bear fruit as definite change."