[Yoon Press Conference] "Mobilizing National Capacity to Overcome Low Birthrate"... Kim Geon-hee and Chae Sang-byeong Reject Special Prosecutor Law (Comprehensive Report 2)

Yoon's 2nd Anniversary 'National Report and Press Conference'
New 'Low Birth Response Planning Department' Established to Address Low Birthrate and Aging Population

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@

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, which will 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 Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law 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 prosecutor." He also maintained his previous stance on the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law, stating that it is appropriate to decide on the special prosecutor after observing the ongoing investigation and judicial procedures.

At the 'National Report and Press Conference' held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the occasion of 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." Speaking at a press conference for the first time in one year and nine months since the 100-day press conference in August 2022, he said, "I will humbly take to heart the criticisms and rebukes directed at me and the government," and emphasized, "From now on, we will strongly promote 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 resolve all 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: "Sorry that difficulties in people’s livelihoods have not been resolved"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering the opening remarks at the 'Yoon Suk-yeol Government 2nd Year National Report and Press Conference' in the office of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the morning of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the day, President Yoon began by saying, "I feel heavy-hearted and sorry that the difficulties in people’s livelihoods are not easily resolved." In his opening remarks at the office, he reflected on the past two years, 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-led growth," and "We have concentrated on creating quality private-sector jobs rather than one-time jobs created by fiscal spending." He also praised South Korea’s diplomatic horizon, which has greatly expanded 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-U.S. alliance has expanded beyond a security alliance to an advanced technology alliance, greatly boosting our industrial competitiveness," and "Our companies are benefiting from the U.S. implementation of the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)." He also highlighted, "The newly established Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperative framework will not only strengthen our security but also further expand economic opportunities."

To address the low birthrate, a new ministry will be established. President Yoon said, "We will establish a provisional 'Low Birthrate Response Planning Department' 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"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is entering the briefing room at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the morning of the 9th to deliver a greeting at the 'Two-Year Public Report and Press Conference of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration.' [Image source=Yonhap News]

He also repeatedly 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 "I believe the public sentiment is to stop political strife and for the government and all parties to work together for people’s livelihoods."

He stressed that urgent bills to overcome the national issue of low birthrate, including the expansion of the tax exemption limit for Individual Savings Accounts (ISA) through the 'Restriction of Special Taxation Act,' the abolition of financial investment income tax through the 'Income Tax Act' amendment, and the introduction of a national qualification system for childcare workers through the 'Childcare Support Act' to ensure safe childcare, require the National Assembly’s cooperation. President Yoon said, "Now is the 'high time' for us," adding, "We must not miss this important time to revitalize our economy and open new paths in diplomacy."

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

After concluding his opening remarks at the office and moving to the briefing room for a Q&A session with reporters, President Yoon also expressed his position on the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law actively promoted by the opposition. Regarding the allegations of luxury handbag acceptance involving his wife, Kim Geon-hee, President Yoon said, "I apologize for causing concern to the public due to my wife’s unwise conduct." He stated that the prosecution’s investigation into the matter is underway and said, "Commenting on the prosecution’s investigation could cause misunderstandings that might influence the process," adding, "I will not comment separately and believe the investigation will be conducted fairly and strictly."

However, regarding the special prosecutor demanded by the opposition concerning Mrs. Kim, President Yoon opposed it, saying, "A special prosecutor is appointed when there are suspicions of leniency or negligence in investigations by institutions such as the prosecution, police, or the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)," and "The previous government conducted a fierce investigation targeting me for about two and a half years." He questioned, "Is that investigation considered lenient or negligent? That itself is contradictory," and added, "Asking to do more now after all that has been done is a political offensive and political act that does not align with the essence or institutional purpose of a special prosecutor," expressing his belief that it is not about uncovering the truth.

Yoon: "Will decide on Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law after observing investigation and judicial procedures"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is answering questions from the press at the 'Two-Year Public Report and Press Conference of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration' held on the morning of the 9th at the briefing room of the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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

Regarding investigations by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office, he said, "I believe those involved in the investigation and future trials will diligently seek the truth with a heavy heart," and "How could this case be investigated carelessly?" He emphasized, "It is impossible to distort the truth to protect those responsible or to pin blame on those who are innocent or less responsible."

However, President Yoon said, "Considering the purpose of a special prosecutor, I think it is more appropriate to observe the ongoing investigation and judicial procedures and trust the mindset and attitude of those involved in the investigation for now." He added, "If the investigation results lead the public to suspect leniency or find them unsatisfactory, I will be the first to advocate for appointing a special prosecutor."

Previous governments neglected pension reform... to be finalized within term

Regarding pension reform, President Yoon said, "We will hand it over to the 22nd National Assembly for more thorough discussion," but added, "However, I will actively cooperate to ensure it is finalized within my term." He particularly criticized, "Previous governments neglected pension reform," and pointed out, "Every year at the end of October, a pension reform report is submitted to the National Assembly, but it was merely a simple formal report, and there was almost no discussion in the Assembly, bringing us to a situation where it can no longer be postponed."

He continued, "During the last presidential election, I promised that if I took office, I would submit sufficient materials for the National Assembly to choose from within my term," and "I fulfilled that pledge at the end of last October." He explained, "We submitted nearly 6,000 pages of extensive materials to the National Assembly, including actuarial statistics, the most important future population projections for pension estimates, various actuarial statistics by experts, and broad public opinion surveys and in-depth Focus Group Interviews (FGI)."

President Yoon said, "Since the 21st National Assembly is nearing its end, it is more appropriate to hand it over to the 22nd Assembly for more thorough discussion rather than rushing now," and explained, "It is right to lead social consensus through a broad public discussion process, with many citizens deeply interested in pension issues."

Before the press conference, President Yoon reiterated his commitment to raising the basic pension payment level to 400,000 won within his term. He said, "In the era of 10 million elderly citizens, we will take more meticulous care of the elderly’s lives," adding, "While expanding jobs for the elderly, we will strengthen nursing and care systems to enable a vibrant and comfortable life for seniors."

Meanwhile, regarding the severe pain caused by high prices to the public, President Yoon said, "We will mobilize all government capabilities to curb grocery and dining prices." He said, "Core inflation has been managed within 2.5%, but grocery prices and dining-out prices felt at restaurants have not been well controlled," and explained, "Grocery prices for agricultural and marine products can be controlled by providing discounts with just a few hundred billion won without large spending and by properly managing tariff quotas on imports."

He added, "Currently, all economic ministries are thoroughly managing grocery prices," and emphasized, "We are investigating global routes and markets to lower import costs and diversify import sources to secure cheaper food ingredients and products."

Yoon dismisses rumors of discord with Han Dong-hoon: "He will walk the path of a politician well"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding rumors of discord with former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon, President Yoon clarified that there was a misunderstanding. When asked by reporters whether he had asked Han to resign through aides before the general election, President Yoon replied, "I think such a conversation came up during a lunch with (then Chief of Staff) Lee Gwan-seop, (People Power Party Floor Leader) Yoon Jae-ok, and Chairman Han, but there was a misunderstanding," and added, "The issue was resolved immediately."

He continued, "Although Chairman Han’s political career is short, he has firmly established himself as a politician by leading the general election as the Emergency Committee Chairman and Chief of the Election Committee of a major party," and said, "I believe he will walk the path of a politician well in the future."

Regarding the ruling party’s defeat in the general election, President Yoon explained, "Ultimately, no matter how much effort was made in people’s livelihoods, the public felt that changes were insufficient." He said, "I think there was a lack of explanation and communication about government policies," and added, "The important thing is the economy, and while structural issues like corporate growth and job creation are important, I believe it is crucial to actively identify and solve the difficulties felt by each citizen in their daily lives."

When asked about the need to shift the national governance stance after the general election, President Yoon said, "I agree with the need for a government that communicates more and listens more attentively to the voices of the people regarding their livelihoods." However, he emphasized, "We believe that setting the economic policy on a market economy and private-led system is faithful to constitutional principles," and "We will maintain consistency in that stance and carefully select what needs to be changed or corrected."