[President Yoon Press Conference] "Mobilizing National Capacity to Overcome Low Birthrate"... Kim Geon-hee and Chae Sang-byeong Reject Special Prosecutor Law (Comprehensive)

Yoon, 'National Report and Press Conference'
Establishment of 'Low Birth Response Planning Department' to Address Low Birthrate and Aging Population

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 9th, "First, we will mobilize all national capabilities to overcome the low birthrate, which can be considered a national emergency." He announced the establishment of a provisional 'Low Birthrate Response Planning Department,' a planning ministry to prepare for low birthrate and aging, to formulate policies encompassing education, labor, and welfare, aiming to elevate the issue beyond simple welfare policies to become a national agenda.

However, President Yoon expressed opposition to the special investigation law on Kim Geon-hee, actively promoted by the opposition party, calling it a "political offensive and political act that does not align with the essence or institutional purpose of a special investigation." He also maintained his existing stance on the special investigation law concerning Chae Sang-byeong, stating that it is appropriate to first observe the ongoing investigation and judicial procedures before deciding on a special investigation.

On the same day, at the 'National Report and Press Conference' held at the Yongsan Presidential Office to mark his second anniversary in office, President Yoon said, "Starting with myself and the government, we will change what needs to be changed and actively increase communication and cooperation with the National Assembly." This was his first press conference in one year and nine months since the 100-day press conference in August 2022. He emphasized, "I will humbly take to heart the criticisms and reprimands directed at me and the government," and added, "From now on, we will more vigorously pursue policies centered on the common people and the middle class to achieve tangible changes in people’s livelihoods."

He also stated, "In the face of global high inflation, high interest rates, and high oil prices, we have not been able to fully resolve the difficulties of people’s livelihoods, and the speed of policies has fallen far short of the public’s expectations," adding, "Over the next three years, we will delve deeper into the lives of the people."

Yoon: "Apologetic that Livelihood Difficulties Have Not Been Resolved"

Starting with the remark, "I feel heavy-hearted and apologetic that the difficulties of people’s livelihoods have not been easily resolved," President Yoon reflected on the past two years during his opening remarks at the office, saying, "When I hear the heartbreaking complaints of the people I met on the ground, my heart aches and I feel a great sense of responsibility," and "I have run tirelessly, crying and laughing together with the people."

President Yoon first assessed the government’s achievements over the past two years, saying, "The government has focused on establishing a market economy and sound fiscal policy, and transforming the structure of our economy toward private-sector-led growth," and "We have concentrated on creating quality private-sector jobs rather than one-off jobs created by fiscal spending." He also praised the expansion of South Korea’s diplomatic horizons through global pivotal state diplomacy. He explained that through active economic diplomacy, including over 150 summit meetings, efforts were made to expand the playground for Korean companies from a 50 million market to an 8 billion market.

President Yoon said, "The Korea-US alliance has expanded beyond a security alliance to an advanced technology alliance, greatly strengthening our industrial competitiveness," and "Our companies are benefiting from the implementation of the US CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)." He also highlighted, "The newly established Korea-US-Japan cooperative framework will not only strengthen our security but also further expand economic opportunities."

On the 9th, citizens at Seoul Station are watching the live broadcast of President Yoon Seok-yeol's 2nd anniversary inauguration press conference. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

To resolve the low birthrate, a new ministry will be established. President Yoon stated, "We will establish a provisional ‘Low Birthrate Response Planning Department,’ a planning ministry to prepare for low birthrate and aging," adding, "The minister of the Low Birthrate Response Planning Department will serve as the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs to formulate policies encompassing education, labor, and welfare, elevating the issue beyond simple welfare policies to become a national agenda." He requested active cooperation from the National Assembly to amend the Government Organization Act for the establishment of the ‘Low Birthrate Response Planning Department.’

Yoon: "Will Increase Communication with Ruling and Opposition Parties"

He also urged cooperation from the National Assembly, emphasizing that the government’s work for people’s livelihoods requires parliamentary cooperation. President Yoon said, "We will increase communication with ruling and opposition parties and strengthen collaboration in the field of people’s livelihoods," and stressed, "I believe the public sentiment is to stop political strife and for the government and ruling and opposition parties to work together for people’s livelihoods."

He pointed out that urgent bills addressing national issues such as expanding the tax exemption limit for Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) through amendments to the Restriction of Special Taxation Act, abolishing the financial investment income tax through amendments to the Income Tax Act, and introducing a national qualification system for childcare workers through the Childcare Support Act to ensure safe childcare, require parliamentary cooperation. President Yoon said, "Now is the ‘high time’ for us," and urged, "We must not miss this important time to revitalize our economy and open new paths in diplomacy."

President Yoon raised his voice, saying, "There is a mountain of tasks that must be done immediately," and warned, "If politics continues to escalate conflicts between camps while postponing the real work, the future of the country and the livelihoods of the people will inevitably be bleak, and this is precisely a crisis of democracy." He added, "In a liberal democratic country, politics exists to solve policy tasks and livelihood issues that determine the nation’s future."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is holding the '2nd Year Public Report and Press Conference of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration' on the morning of the 9th at the briefing room of the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In the subsequent Q&A session with reporters, President Yoon also expressed his position on the special investigation law on Kim Geon-hee, actively promoted by the opposition party. Regarding the allegations of receiving luxury bags involving his wife Kim Geon-hee, President Yoon said, "I apologize for causing concern to the public due to my wife’s unwise conduct."

Regarding the prosecution’s investigation into the matter, President Yoon said, "Commenting on the prosecution’s investigation could cause misunderstandings or have some influence," and added, "I will not comment separately and believe that the investigation will be conducted fairly and strictly."

However, he opposed the special investigation demanded by the opposition concerning Mrs. Kim, stating, "A special investigation is conducted when there are suspicions of leniency or inadequacy in investigations by institutions such as the prosecution, police, or the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)," and expressed opposition.

President Yoon pointed out, "The previous government conducted intense investigations targeting me for about two and a half years," and questioned, "Was that investigation lenient or inadequate? That itself is contradictory." He continued, "Even now, to say we have done enough and want to do more is a political offensive and political act that does not align with the essence or institutional purpose of a special investigation," and remarked, "I still believe it is not about uncovering the truth."

Yoon: "Regarding Chae Sang-byeong Special Investigation Law, Will Decide After Observing Investigation and Judicial Procedures"

When asked about his position on the Chae Sang-byeong special investigation law, President Yoon expressed condolences, saying, "It is heartbreaking and regrettable as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces that a young marine with a bright future died in the line of duty during a civil support operation," and added, "To prevent such incidents from recurring, restore the honor of the deceased, and clarify responsibility, a thorough investigation must be conducted."

Regarding investigations by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office, he said, "I believe the investigators and future trial officials will diligently seek the truth with a heavy heart," and emphasized, "How could this case be investigated carelessly? It is impossible to distort the truth to protect those responsible or to scapegoat those who are innocent or less responsible."

However, President Yoon said, "Even considering the purpose of a special investigation, I think it is more appropriate to observe the ongoing investigation and judicial procedures and trust the mindset and attitude of the investigators for now." He added, "If the public finds the investigation results suspicious or unsatisfactory, I will be the first to advocate for a special investigation."