Yoon to Former President Jeon, 'Uppercut'... "We Must Not Give Up on Future and Innovation" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon Suk-yeol Attends People Power Party Convention
Steadfastly Promoting Three Major Reforms in Labor, Education, and Pensions for Sustainability and the Youth Generation
Must Eradicate Ideology-Based Policies and Entrenched Cartels

Urgent Need for ROK-US-Japan Cooperation to Overcome North Korean Nuclear Threat, Security, and Complex Crises
Emphasizes Responsibility for Expanding Global Citizens' Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity
Calls for Role as Ruling Party and Internal Unity
Also Holds Uppercut Ceremony Commemorating One Year Since Election

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 8th at the People Power Party's national convention, "Even when faced with the persistent resistance of vested interests, we must never give up the path for future generations and the path for national innovation."

This is interpreted as an appeal for support from the ruling party and the public to push forward pressing issues such as the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions, improvement of Korea-US and Korea-Japan relations, international cooperation based on the liberal democratic market economy system, and overcoming the economic crisis.

President Yoon made these remarks during his congratulatory speech at the People Power Party's 3rd national convention held in the afternoon at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. He said, "Our future will never come by itself." This is the first time a president has attended the ruling party's national convention since former President Park Geun-hye attended the Saenuri Party convention in 2016.

First, President Yoon shared his reflections on the 10 months since the government was launched. He mentioned, "I have emphasized the values of freedom and solidarity, which are the spirit of our constitution. Respect for private autonomy and individual creativity, the rule of law as the starting point of freedom and fairness, fostering advanced science and technology innovation and national strategic industries, stronger support for the socially vulnerable through welfare for the disadvantaged, solidarity and cooperation among countries sharing universal values, and a strong national security posture."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the People Power Party's 3rd National Convention held on the 8th at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He also emphasized reforms against policies and forces that hinder reform. President Yoon stated, "Our reality is that we cannot even dream of the near future while neglecting policies based on outdated ideologies and the unfair rent-seeking of vested interest cartels," adding, "We must align our systems with advanced global standards so that the market can operate freely and fairly. We must firmly eradicate vested interest and privilege cartels that bring suffering to the people."

Regarding labor reform, he expressed, "We must firmly address and correct the lack of transparency in union finances, hereditary employment practices in industrial sites, violence, and illegal activities."

President Yoon's emphasis on dismantling vested interest cartels, illegal acts by militant unions, and forces that exploit national crises as political opportunities is interpreted as a move to secure momentum for governance through the unity of the ruling People Power Party.

In this context, President Yoon urged, "We must never hesitate or fear fighting against forces that exploit the country's crisis and the party's crisis as their political opportunity. That is the way for our party to be more loved by the people. The People Power Party has the strength that has led Korea's proud achievements," appealing repeatedly.

Furthermore, he stressed, "Our party has the responsibility as a party that protects the constitutional values of liberal democracy, the foundation of our prosperity, to create a society that warmly cares for the vulnerable," and added, "As a leading country in the international community, we have the responsibility to expand freedom for ourselves and global citizens and to create peace and prosperity in the international community. Let us all unite with the newly elected leadership to build Korea again, a new nation of the people."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is on stage at the 3rd People Power Party Convention held on the 8th at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, performing an uppercut ceremony toward the delegates. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In the same vein, he mentioned the responsibilities as the ruling party. President Yoon said, "All of this started from the people's voice to restore the broken liberal democratic and market economy system and to protect peace through strong national security," urging, "Now we must act more strongly and implement more swiftly."

President Yoon reaffirmed the Yoon administration's state philosophy, including the liberal democratic market economy system and Korea's contribution to world peace, while emphasizing the determination to push forward policies such as the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions, and the restoration of Korea-Japan relations.

Regarding the promotion of the three major reforms, President Yoon stressed, "We must unwaveringly pursue the three major reforms for the sustainability of our society and for the younger generation."

Earlier, in December last year, during the 1st National Economic Advisory Council meeting he presided over, President Yoon emphasized 2023 as the inaugural year for the three major reforms, and at the Cabinet meeting the day before, he urged, "Please speedily push forward the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions for the people."

He also reiterated the normalization of international relations based on the liberal democratic market economy system, which he has consistently emphasized since taking office. President Yoon explained, "Solidarity and cooperation among countries sharing universal values are not only about our survival and national interests in the international community but also directly related to constitutional values such as liberal democracy and market economy," adding, "Rebuilding the broken Korea-US alliance and quickly restoring Korea-Japan relations are the same."

He further stated, "To overcome the global complex crises and the severe security threats including North Korea's nuclear threat, cooperation among the three countries?Korea, the US, and Japan?is more important than ever, and this must be clearly recognized."

President Yoon plans to make a state visit to the United States in late next month, marking the first such visit by a Korean president in 12 years, to discuss strengthening Korea-US relations with President Joe Biden. Recently, regarding solutions to the forced labor issue, President Yoon has hinted at restoring Korea-Japan relations by saying, "We will be a strength for future generations."

While avoiding mention of specific candidates who might spark unnecessary controversy such as interference in party affairs, he called for harmony within the People Power Party.

President Yoon appealed, "The newly elected leadership and all of us must unite. There are no winners or losers in the People Power Party's internal election," adding, "All members of our party must think first, second, and third of the people and move forward together."

After attending the national convention and showcasing an 'uppercut' ceremony to celebrate his first year in office, President Yoon left the venue after greeting ruling party lawmakers and members without watching the results of the next party leader vote.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting the delegates on stage at the People Power Party's 3rd National Convention held on the 8th at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@