President Moon: "Now is the Time for Unity... We Must Mend and Heal the Divided Public Sentiment" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in emphasized the need for 'national unity,' stating on the 14th that now, after the conclusion of the 20th presidential election, is a "time for integration" and that "the divided public sentiment must be reconciled and healed."

On the same day, President Moon presided over a senior secretaries meeting at the Blue House Yeomin-gwan and said, "This election was marked by unprecedented fierce competition and many conflicts, and the outcome was decided by the smallest margin in history."

President Moon stated, "There may be many regrets about the election process or results, but after the election, South Korea is one again," emphasizing, "Above all, now is the time for integration."

He continued, "The most urgent task is to reconcile, heal, and unify the deeply divided public sentiment revealed starkly during the election process and results," adding, "Although the next government will face a situation of a minority ruling party in the National Assembly, the public demands politics of integration and cooperation within that balance."

President Moon urged the necessity of unity, saying, "Facing new threats and fierce challenges both domestically and internationally, this is a very serious time for the nation, and integration is an extremely urgent task to move toward a better future."

He also urged all ministries to fulfill their responsibilities until the end of his term. President Moon said, "We now expect that the Omicron wave is peaking or will soon peak," and requested, "Please focus all efforts on stabilizing medical responses such as hospital bed occupancy rates."

He added, "the newly forming new Cold War structure may further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and make conditions for dialogue difficult," emphasizing, "We will firmly maintain our security posture and do our utmost until the end to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula in a stable and peaceful manner."

President Moon stated, "If peace becomes precarious, it will be disadvantageous to both North and South Korea," urging, "North Korea to stop actions that escalate the crisis and to take the path of dialogue and diplomacy before the situation worsens."

He also mentioned global inflation caused by international circumstances and urged thorough price management, while emphasizing, "We will gather national capabilities and respond with extraordinary resolve until the end for economic security as well."

President Moon concluded by expressing condolences to the many disaster victims and local residents suffering from wildfires in the Gyeongbuk and Gangwon regions, saying, "The government will do its best for swift damage recovery and the restoration of normal life." He also expressed gratitude for the efforts of related agencies and volunteers involved in wildfire suppression.