Yoon: "If Public Officials Don't Change, It Will Be Difficult to Survive the Economic War" (Update)

President Yoon Chairs Cabinet Meeting in Sejong: "Public Officials Must Change Methods and Mindsets"
"To Survive Competition, We Must Boldly Break the Framework of Practices and Regulations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 7th stated, "If the mindset of public officials does not change, it will be difficult to survive in the economic war," and instructed each ministry to transform their working methods and thinking. The judgment is that the change of public officials is a priority to support export-oriented economic diplomacy. This means that regulations hindering companies from competing overseas can be changed to global standards.

President Yoon presided over the Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong in the morning and said, "Exports, investment attraction, and advanced science and technology cooperation are the core of economic diplomacy, and all our systems must be aligned with those of developed countries," emphasizing this point.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the morning of the 7th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On this day, President Yoon emphasized the change of public officials. He said, "I mentioned that I am Korea's number one salesperson, but the working methods and thinking of public officials must also change boldly," and noted, "It takes 3 years for our competitors to build a semiconductor factory, but it takes us 8 years." He also stated, "To survive in global competition, we must boldly break the existing customs and regulatory frameworks." He added, "If the mindset of public officials does not change, it will be difficult to survive in the economic war. We must become a more agile and flexible government."

He also reiterated the government-wide follow-up measures that he has been emphasizing since last month's overseas visits. President Yoon said, "We have had in-depth discussions on how to create markets, how to manage markets fairly, and what incentives to provide so that the private sector can create various products, services, and economic value based on autonomy and creativity," adding, "We must make Korea the best innovation hub and align all our systems with the global standards of developed countries."

President Yoon also ordered prompt disaster relief, including dispatching rescue personnel to T?rkiye, where thousands of casualties have occurred due to a major earthquake. He said, "It is only natural to help our brother country T?rkiye," and added, "I hope each ministry actively cooperates in helping and supporting this disaster."

Earlier, President Yoon instructed the rapid deployment of rescue personnel using our military transport aircraft and the swift provision of emergency medical supplies. He also urged close cooperation with the Turkish authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local diplomatic missions. In the early hours of the day, President Yoon released a message saying, "I feel deeply sorry for the people of T?rkiye and Syria who are going through difficult times. Korea expresses its deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones."