Supply Chain Fragmentation and Disruption Intensify... "Pursuing Global Citizen Coexistence Through Strong Inter-National Solidarity"
Criticizing Past Nuclear Phase-Out Policy, "Will Systematically Promote Carbon Neutrality Through Nuclear Expansion"
First In-Person Solo Special Address in 9 Years Since Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye... Emphasizing Climate Crisis, Health, and Digital Issues
[Davos=Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 19th (local time) at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF, Davos Forum) that "the most urgent task now is to strengthen the resilience of supply chains based on reciprocal solidarity." This judgment comes as supply chains are showing signs of fragmentation due to the pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, and the war is further aggravating supply chain disruptions. Regarding nuclear power, he reaffirmed the expansion policy and said, "We will cooperate with countries that need nuclear power technology."
President Yoon delivered a special solo speech to global leaders on international cooperation measures to overcome the global economic crisis at the Davos Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, on the morning of the same day. This special speech by a head of state was held face-to-face for the first time in nine years, following former President Lee Myung-bak in 2010 and former President Park Geun-hye in 2014.
Under the theme of 'Solidarity in Action,' President Yoon presented the path of international cooperation and solidarity for ▲strengthening the resilience of global supply chains for sustainable economic prosperity ▲transition to clean energy to respond to the climate crisis and secure energy security ▲strengthening global cooperation to close health gaps ▲realizing a digital order that contributes to freedom and prosperity, and announced to the international community that Korea will play a leading role in these efforts.
President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Klaus Schwab, WEF Chairman, during his solo special speech at the 2023 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF Davos Forum) held in Davos, Switzerland, on the 19th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
◆ "Strengthening supply chain resilience... Supporting smooth operation through diverse cooperation" = He pointed out strengthening the resilience of global supply chains as the most urgent issue. President Yoon said, "Strengthening supply chain resilience must also be addressed based on the spirit of freedom and solidarity," adding, "We must build resilient supply chains through strong solidarity among countries and pursue coexistence of global citizens." He especially emphasized, "The Republic of Korea will become a key partner in the global supply chain with world-class production technology and manufacturing capabilities in semiconductors, secondary batteries, steel, and bio sectors." He also introduced that the recently announced Indo-Pacific strategy by the Korean government contains the will to cooperate and innovate with countries wishing for freedom, peace, and prosperity.
The strategy for restructuring and strengthening supply chains is also linked to the domestic economy. Accordingly, the government treats strengthening supply chain cooperation in key industries as a top priority policy. A senior official from the Presidential Office said, "President Yoon delivered a speech on the direction of international cooperation to overcome the global economic crisis," and "He will impress the international community with Korea's leading role and determination for this purpose."
In a dialogue with Klaus Schwab, WEF Chairman, after the speech, President Yoon reiterated the importance of supply chains. When asked about the Korean government's policy on supply chain restructuring, President Yoon mentioned semiconductors, saying, "In modern industrial society, it is very difficult for society to function without smooth supply and distribution of semiconductors, which are essential goods." He diagnosed, "However, due to various geopolitical conflicts and other causes, the semiconductor supply chain is showing signs of blockization, causing significant contraction in economic growth." Therefore, President Yoon said, "We intend to share our semiconductor technology by producing it in as many countries as possible and to ensure the supply chain operates smoothly through various cooperative projects in advanced areas."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a special solo speech on the theme of "For Active Solidarity" at the 2023 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF·Davos Forum) held in Davos, Switzerland, on the 19th (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
◆ Yoon: "We plan to further expand nuclear power generation" = He also proposed overcoming the climate crisis. As a key means to harmoniously achieve energy transition and energy security, he pointed to nuclear power generation and clean hydrogen. President Yoon said, "Our government will systematically pursue carbon neutrality through the expansion of nuclear power," adding, "The Republic of Korea possesses world-class nuclear power technology, construction, and operational capabilities, and we will cooperate with countries that need nuclear power technology to achieve carbon neutrality goals."
When asked by Klaus Schwab about Korea's nuclear power strategy, President Yoon revealed, "For a while, there was an attempt to reduce nuclear power under the policy of phasing out nuclear power, which lasted for several years, causing the nuclear power ecosystem to suffer greatly." He continued, "To achieve carbon neutrality, we plan to strengthen technology for renewable energy and further expand nuclear power generation." In particular, he said, "Not only will we build additional nuclear power plants in our country, but we will also share nuclear power technology with countries aiming for carbon neutrality worldwide and strive in the international community to make clean energy nuclear power a major energy source through various exports and cooperation."
He also addressed the issue of closing health gaps between countries. President Yoon stated, "Korea will actively contribute to international cooperation for pandemic prevention and response, resource mobilization, training bio personnel to enhance vaccine production capacity, and responding to future new infectious diseases." He added, "The international community must work together to develop infectious disease response tools such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic devices and join forces to ensure equitable access for global citizens."
Furthermore, President Yoon pointed out that the digital divide poses new challenges to human peace and prosperity. In this context, he emphasized, "We must establish a global digital order so that digital technology can contribute to expanding the freedom of global citizens." He continued, "Korea will define the right to enjoy digital technology as a universal human right and prepare a digital bill of rights that presents principles for resolving new issues in the era of deepening digitalization."
Meanwhile, this year's Davos Forum held in-depth discussions on the direction the international community should take under the theme of 'Cooperation in a Divided World,' with major country leaders, representatives of international organizations, global businesspeople, academia, and civil society leaders. A Presidential Office official said, "Through this special speech, not only in words but also in practice, by presenting a path of cooperation through 'Solidarity in Action' and declaring our willingness to contribute, it is evaluated as a meaningful contribution to expanding the freedom, peace, and prosperity of global citizens and promoting joint international efforts to provide a better future for the next generation."
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