Welcome Speech at the 2nd Democracy Summit Indo-Pacific Regional Meeting
Individual Corruption Ultimately Distorts Community and Undermines Democracy
Korea Contributes $100 Million Over 3 Years to Indo-Pacific Democracy Development
President Yoon Suk-yeol urged on the 30th that "countries sharing universal values such as freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and democracy must unite to strongly respond to transnational corruption crimes."
At 9 a.m. that day, President Yoon made the remarks in his welcoming address at the 'Challenges and Achievements in Anti-Corruption' session of the 2nd Democracy Summit Indo-Pacific Regional Meeting held at a hotel in Seoul. He stated, "Strengthening transparency in all sectors of society is the best way to eliminate corruption."
He first emphasized the importance of the rule of law to protect the universal values of democracy such as freedom and human rights. President Yoon said, "Democracy is a community decision-making system that guarantees freedom and human rights, and the rule of law is a system that enables the free coexistence of community members through the rule of law rather than the rule of people."
He also pointed out that individual corruption distorts and paralyzes community decision-making, thereby damaging democracy, and must be eradicated.
President Yoon said, "We have focused only on individual corrupt acts, but if we extract the essence of individual corruption, it is precisely the distortion and paralysis of the community decision-making system," adding, "The spread of false information led by specific groups and forces, and the resulting agitation, violence and threats, secretive and fraudulent rent-seeking acts?these are what distort and neutralize the community decision-making system called democracy."
He continued, "More fundamentally, anything that goes against truth and reality is corruption," emphasizing, "That threatens democracy and suppresses freedom."
He also mentioned that solidarity among democratic countries is essential to eradicate corruption in the international community. President Yoon said, "Korea has strengthened its anti-corruption capabilities by improving anti-corruption legislation and establishing a digital criminal justice system," and urged, "Countries sharing universal values such as freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and democracy must unite to strongly respond to transnational corruption crimes."
He added, "As the host of the 3rd Democracy Summit, Korea will take the lead in sharing and spreading universal values such as freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, and in efforts to promote democracy worldwide."
He also pledged that Korea will contribute to the development of democracy in the Indo-Pacific region in various fields. President Yoon said, "Korea aims to give back to the international community that has helped achieve liberal democracy and prosperity by promoting the 'Shared Vision for Democracy and Prosperity,'" and stated, "Over the next three years, we will implement development cooperation projects worth 100 million dollars in areas that can contribute to democracy promotion such as e-government, digital technology capacity building, transparency, and anti-corruption for Indo-Pacific countries in need of support."
He continued, "We will promote the 'Promoting Democracy for Future Generation' program through a 1.5-track youth forum involving both government and private sectors to support Indo-Pacific youth in contributing to freedom and prosperity," and requested, "I ask for your active cooperation so that this new blueprint can be a meaningful first step in defending democracy."
Furthermore, he expressed hope, saying, "If we work together to promote democracy through this Democracy Summit, nothing is impossible. Our solidarity will make the flower of democracy bloom again," and added, "I hope that the insights and wisdom gathered at today’s first Indo-Pacific regional meeting of the Democracy Summit will become stepping stones to promote anti-corruption and democracy in the regional countries."
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