[Full Text] Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom: "Devoting All Efforts to 'National Unity'"

Inaugural Address of the 47th Prime Minister

President Moon Jae-in is taking a commemorative photo with newly appointed Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum after presenting the appointment letter at the Blue House on the morning of the 14th. 2021.5.14 [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] New Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated on the 14th, "I will devote all my efforts during my term to the goal of 'national unity.'"

Prime Minister Kim held an inauguration ceremony at the Government Complex Seoul that morning and said in his inaugural address, "I will do my best to create a society where people can trust and rely on each other, where community spirit is restored so that we can grow together, and where the spirit of coexistence and solidarity is alive."

He described the COVID-19 crisis as a "major turning point" and said, "To overcome this crisis and build a new national system, the spirit of concession, compromise, trust, and cooperation is urgently required," but also expressed regret that "today in our Republic of Korea, distrust and conflict are dividing the people more deeply than ever."

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "Above all, the responsibility of politics is great," and pledged, "I will devote myself to the goal of national unity pursued in politics over the past 30 years." To this end, he identified key tasks including ▲ resolving COVID-19 and livelihood issues ▲ economic recovery and leap forward ▲ national harmony, coexistence, and inclusion.

Regarding the real estate issue, considered a representative policy failure of the Moon Jae-in administration, he promised, "We will no longer disappoint," and pledged, "While maintaining the broad framework of housing price stabilization, we will devise various policy measures to ensure that real demanders of all generations do not face difficulties in securing housing."

To the public service community, he said, "I know very well that you are very tired and exhausted, but let's muster a little more strength," and encouraged, "After overcoming this difficult period, you will be remembered as proud public officials who overcame the national crisis." He added, "Please lead the Republic of Korea with more proactive and bold policies and administration," and promised, "We will firmly protect and generously reward active administration to make it more vigorous."

Below is the full text.

[Inaugural Address of the 47th Prime Minister]

Respected citizens, public officials across the nation!

First, I thank the President and the National Assembly for entrusting me with the heavy responsibility of the Prime Minister.

I also deeply thank the citizens who have trusted and supported me.

In the unprecedented COVID-19 situation,

I extend my gratitude to former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun,

who has tirelessly devoted himself to quarantine efforts and stable governance without a moment's rest.

Dear citizens,

Our Republic of Korea is now facing a major turning point.

We are confronted with a global infectious disease crisis called the COVID-19 pandemic.

Structurally, we face difficulties such as socioeconomic polarization, low growth, low birthrate, and aging population.

To overcome this crisis and build a new national system,

the spirit of concession, compromise, trust, and cooperation is urgently required.

However, today in our Republic of Korea,

distrust and conflict are dividing the people more deeply than ever.

Small differences are exaggerated,

others are labeled as wrong,

and those not on our side are turned into enemies?

these regrettable scenes are visible.

In such distrust and conflict,

the quarantine efforts, herd immunity,

livelihood, and reforms that all citizens long for become difficult.

Each generation seeks only its own survival path.

I know that politics bears the greatest responsibility.

I pledge to the citizens.

I will do my best to create a society where people can trust and rely on each other,

a society where community spirit is restored and we can grow together,

a society where the spirit of coexistence and solidarity is alive.

This has been the goal of national unity I have pursued in politics for the past 30 years.

During my term as Prime Minister,

I will devote all my efforts to this goal.

Once COVID-19 and livelihood issues are resolved,

and the economic recovery accelerates,

we will be able to approach national unity more quickly.

Inclusive recovery that reduces the gap deepened by COVID-19

is also a key to national unity.

Respected citizens,

Even in the long and difficult times caused by COVID-19,

our people have endured, united, and cooperated.

Please muster a little more strength.

The government will focus on three major areas.

First, resolving COVID-19 and livelihood issues.

There is no national agenda more important than livelihood.

We will spare no effort to end the war against COVID-19 as soon as possible

through more thorough quarantine management and rapid vaccination.

We will mobilize all policy means to prevent polarization from worsening due to COVID-19,

and to strengthen the social safety net.

We will continuously enhance tailored support measures for low-income groups struggling to maintain their livelihoods,

special employment workers whose working hours and income have decreased,

and the growing number of platform workers.

We will also strengthen the employment safety net so that all working citizens

can work with peace of mind even in crises like COVID-19.

We will no longer disappoint in real estate policy.

While maintaining the broad framework of housing price stabilization pursued by the government,

we will devise various policy measures to ensure that real demanders of all generations do not face difficulties in securing housing.

We will firmly implement the strong anti-speculation measures prepared following the LH scandal in March.

We will stand with our youth, who are facing more difficulties than ever.

We will dramatically expand youth participation in policy-making,

so that young people can feel changes in all aspects of life such as jobs, education, housing, and culture,

and can freely dream and challenge themselves.

Under any circumstances, our youth will never lose hope.

Second, economic recovery and leap forward.

Recently, our economy has shown a recovery trend greatly exceeding market expectations.

However, citizens still feel there is a long way to go.

For a fast and strong economic recovery,

we will maintain an expansionary macroeconomic policy stance

and invigorate domestic demand, exports, and investment.

In particular, preparing for the global economic recovery trend,

we will strengthen export capabilities and achieve $1 trillion in trade this year.

Once quarantine stabilizes, we will also prepare bold consumption activation measures.

We recognize the efforts our companies have made for the Republic of Korea during COVID-19.

In the post-COVID era,

we will spare no support to help our companies spread their wings and lead the global market.

We will strive for a leap to a leading economy.

While further supporting key industries that have driven our economic growth,

we will also focus more on nurturing new industries such as future cars, bio-health, and system semiconductors.

We will steadily prepare to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Centered on the soon-to-be-launched Carbon Neutrality Committee,

we will lead the great transformation of the economic and social structure toward carbon neutrality.

We will create an economic system where no citizen is left behind.

Through balanced regional development, we will build a Republic of Korea where everyone prospers together.

Third, we will strive for national harmony, coexistence, and inclusion.

To overcome the difficulties we face now,

all citizens must unite as one.

For that, the political sphere must first come together.

The government will actively communicate with the National Assembly

and seek cooperation in policy implementation.

Our society, which has experienced industrialization and democratization in a compressed manner,

faces various conflicts such as regionalism, ideology, generation, and polarization.

The government will take responsibility for resolving these social conflicts.

I will personally visit conflict sites to communicate with all sectors,

and promote the formation of social dialogue bodies

to resolve problems through coexistence and solidarity.

We are well aware of the polarization situation deepened by COVID-19.

The government will focus its capabilities on inclusive recovery and inclusive leap forward.

Through these efforts, we will complete the national agenda promised to the citizens by the Moon Jae-in administration.

We will successfully settle the achievements of reform

and realize a fair and just country.

Respected public officials,

we have entered the fifth year of the Moon Jae-in administration.

Looking back on the long history of our nation,

the coming year, which must overcome the final hurdle of COVID-19,

is more important than ever.

We must successfully complete the policies and reform tasks undertaken so far,

and proactively prepare for challenges after COVID-19.

The citizens are always the top priority.

As public officials who serve and work with the citizens,

I will share three principles to keep in mind.

The first principle is fairness and transparency.

Due to various incidents including the LH scandal,

public disappointment and concerns about the public service are high.

With the recent passage of the Public Officials Conflict of Interest Prevention Act,

an institutional framework for a fair and transparent public service has been established.

Let us build a clean public service that is not ashamed before the citizens.

The second principle is the field.

The foundation of administration is to be with the citizens in the field.

What is not visible in reports is visible in the field.

Please visit the field with a humbler attitude.

I myself will become a 'field prime minister.'

The third principle is cooperation and collaboration.

Central and local governments, public institutions and private companies, civil society,

all must form partnerships in various ways

to create and implement policies together.

I will continuously seek and support ways to achieve this.

Public officials,

I know very well that you are very tired and exhausted

due to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

Let us muster a little more strength.

No matter what anyone says, you are the public servants entrusted by the citizens

with the mission and pride of serving the people.

After overcoming this difficult period,

you will be remembered as proud public officials who overcame the national crisis.

Do not waver with the government's term or political schedule,

and always do your best in your duties.

Lead the Republic of Korea with proactive and bold policies and administration.

We will firmly protect and generously reward active administration

to make it more vigorous in the public service.

We can do it. Let us work hard.

I will always be with you.

Thank you.