Yoon: "Taxes Must Be Used Effectively... Should Not Be Influenced by Politics"

Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, MFDS, and KDCA Work Report
Yoon "Guarantee Flexibility, Fairness, and Safety in Labor Reform"
Orders to Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to "Strengthen Protection for Women, Youth, and Families"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 9th, President Yoon Seok-yeol emphasized regarding welfare, state protection for vulnerable groups, disease countermeasures, and food and drug management, "I want to say that our people's taxes must be used very effectively."

President Yoon stated this during the 2023 New Year work report meeting of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency held at the Blue House State Guest House in the afternoon. He said, "Although this is the work of an elected government, it must never be influenced by politics, elections, or factions."

President Yoon began by mentioning the welfare philosophy of 'welfare for the weak,' saying, "'Who are the most vulnerable people in that society?' Finding them and prioritizing those who are the most struggling in that society to protect human dignity and value as stated in our Constitution is, I believe, the starting point of welfare."

Regarding universal welfare, he said, "It falls within the scope of protecting the safety and development of our entire society," citing the health insurance system.

He continued, "In universal welfare, there should be appropriate self-payments, then the principle of service, and the principle that it is provided as a social service. This should create a virtuous cycle of technological advancement and growth," adding, "If it is truly a system for the people, a thorough scientific approach is necessary."

He reiterated, "If ideology, politics, or elections intervene here, it will be difficult for the state’s role to truly make the people prosperous."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding labor reform, one of the three major reforms including labor, pension, and education, President Yoon said, "It is not for employers, capitalists, or the wealthy, but for the people," and mentioned, "Upgrading labor flexibility and fairness, labor-management rule of law, and workplace safety, and reasonably correcting wrongs. It is not for political purposes but for all the people."

Regarding the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, he urged, "Since the amendment to the Government Organization Act has not been properly passed in the National Assembly, while the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family remains, the state’s protection for women, youth, and families must be strengthened."

During his presidential campaign, President Yoon pledged to return related duties to existing ministries to strengthen protection for women, families, and youth.

Regarding the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, he requested, "Please review whether there are unnecessary regulations hindering the development of the (bio) industry." He expressed expectations, saying, "If regulations are eased while ensuring safety and the industry grows, a huge number of high-income, quality jobs will be created."

To the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, he said, "In responding to infectious diseases, think only about the health and safety of the people, and do not consider diplomacy, economic trade, or politics at all," adding, "Regardless of any national disadvantages, when it comes to protecting the people from infectious diseases, think thoroughly only about the health and safety of our people, and do not think beyond that."

He added, "We must build a strong system to protect the safety of the people," and said, "I think it is being done well now." This is interpreted as President Yoon dismissing concerns about the impact on Korea-China relations following recent strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China.

Meanwhile, about 150 people attended this work report, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Ministers Cho Kyu-hong of Health and Welfare, Lee Jeong-sik of Employment and Labor, Kim Hyun-sook of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Director Ji Young-mi, presidential office aides, members of the National Assembly, related agencies, and private experts.