New Year's Reception at Cheong Yeongbin-gwan... Attendance by Five Key Officials
Yoon: "The Three Major Reforms Must Progress... The People Command"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 2nd, "While prioritizing the pressing livelihood issues, we must swiftly rectify the malpractices that hinder the growth and development of our economy and accelerate the normalization for all of us."
President Yoon stated this during the New Year's greeting event held at the Blue House State Guest House that morning, saying, "If we easily succumb to the resistance of vested interests, sustainable prosperity will also become difficult."
In his New Year's address announced the previous day at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon also warned, "A country obsessed with maintaining vested interests and seeking rents has no future," emphasizing the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions.
At that time, President Yoon pointed to labor reform first among the three major reforms and stressed, "Through this, we must drive the growth of our economy."
First, President Yoon greeted by saying, "Despite the challenging conditions both domestically and internationally last year, I sincerely thank all the citizens who did not lose hope and worked hard to overcome the crisis, as well as everyone here for your dedication and efforts."
He continued, "Although there will be various crises and challenges in the new year, we will further solidify the foundations of freedom and solidarity, human rights, and the rule of law that created today's Republic of Korea and led to its current prosperity."
Regarding the international situation this year, he diagnosed, "The weakening of the World Trade Organization (WTO) system, intensifying competition for technological hegemony, and geopolitical conflicts have deepened global bloc formation," adding, "Therefore, the government's role is more important than ever."
On the government's role, he said, "While maintaining a private-led, market-centered policy, we will carefully ensure thorough government support in diplomacy, trade, and science and technology," explaining, "In particular, solidarity with the international community based on universal values is not only a constitutional value of our country but also protects our national interests and will provide us with more economic opportunities."
President Yoon also emphasized regarding the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions, which have emerged as key state affairs, "We must unwaveringly uphold laws and principles," and added, "The three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions are difficult and challenging, but they are the path we must take, and the people have commanded us to do so."
Furthermore, he requested, "History has shown us many times that crises are opportunities to lead prosperity and leaps forward through the will to challenge and innovation capabilities," and asked, "I ask everyone here to join forces and support us."
At the New Year's greeting event that day, five key figures attended, including National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Supreme Court Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Yoo Nam-seok, and Central Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak. From the National Assembly, the chairs of the Operations, Strategy and Finance, Foreign Affairs, National Defense, and Intelligence Committees, the Secretary-General of the National Assembly, People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young, and Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi were present. However, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, did not attend, citing the party's schedule in Busan that day.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
