Han Deok-su: "If Reform Stops, It Means Regression... Essential Medical Reform Must Be Completed"

"Responding to North Korea's Lowly Provocations with Overwhelming Deterrence"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated on the 3rd, National Foundation Day, "We will definitely complete the essential medical reforms that protect the lives and safety of the people and serve future generations."

On the same day, during his congratulatory speech at the 4,356th National Foundation Day celebration held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Prime Minister Han said, "We must never forget the painful historical lesson that reform regresses if it stops."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 4356th National Foundation Day celebration held on the 3rd at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Han emphasized, "We will do our best to actively communicate so that the burdens and pains felt by the people during the reform process are minimized," adding, "We will look only to the people and move forward on the right path for our next generations." He also stated, "The government will strongly promote five major reforms?pensions, healthcare, education, labor, and low birthrate?that are key to the future national competitiveness."

He continued, "The conflicts and divisions our society is experiencing are very serious," diagnosing that "the values of community such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law are being disregarded, and lies and fake news are shaking the foundation of social order."

Prime Minister Han said, "The government will protect the constitutional values of freedom, democracy, and prosperity and will work harder for national unity," adding, "We will spread the values of freedom and prosperity to North Korea and, through solidarity with the international community, establish a Republic of Korea characterized by freedom, democracy, and unification throughout the Korean Peninsula." Furthermore, he stated, "We will respond to North Korea’s lowly provocations and the creation of military tensions with overwhelming deterrence against North Korea based on a strong alliance."