Yoon Deliberates Over Attending Policy Speech at Yongsan

Scheduled for the 4th of next month... Gathering Opinions from the Staff

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 29th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol is deeply contemplating whether to attend the 2025 'State of the Nation Address' scheduled for the 4th of next month. Due to the deteriorated situation in the National Assembly, it is known that the Prime Minister is likely to read the address on his behalf. However, if the President skips the State of the Nation Address, which directly explains the government's policy direction following his absence at the National Assembly opening speech last September, it could further fuel the already worsening public opinion.

According to the Blue House on the 30th, President Yoon is listening carefully to the opinions of his aides regarding his attendance at the address and is in the final stages of coordination. Initially, it was reported that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would likely read the speech in case President Yoon decided not to attend the budget-related State of the Nation Address. However, concerns have arisen internally that it would be regrettable to forgo the opportunity to directly explain the government's policy direction to the National Assembly and the public, making it difficult to reach a conclusion easily.

A Blue House official stated, "President Yoon directly explained the government's policy direction at last year's budget State of the Nation Address, saying that 'stabilizing prices and people's livelihoods will be the top priority of all policies, and we will respond with full force.'" He added, "Since the address is scheduled for the 4th of next month and is a platform to explain next year's budget and government policy direction, separate from issues such as the Kim Geon-hee matter, no final decision has been made yet."

Last September, President Yoon's absence from the National Assembly opening ceremony sparked criticism, as no sitting president had missed the opening ceremony since democratization in 1987. Concerns are growing that his absence from this year's State of the Nation Address, after attending in both 2023 and 2024, would look unfavorable. The Blue House is closely monitoring the situation. If President Yoon does not deliver the budget State of the Nation Address in person, it would be the first time in 11 years since 2013 that the Prime Minister reads the speech, which is also a burden.

However, some pro-Yoon factions reportedly still respond, "With the opposition planning a 'National Rally to Condemn Kim Geon-hee's State Power Abuse' two days before the address, is there really a need to deliver the State of the Nation Address under pressure from public opinion?"

President Yoon is also deeply considering how to communicate with the public ahead of the midterm point of his term on the 10th of next month. Facing a minority government and low approval ratings, President Yoon has decided to hold briefings quarterly to directly explain government affairs to the public. Therefore, there is growing speculation that a press conference or public communication event may be held at the end of November.

A Blue House official said, "Although only two months remain this year, President Yoon has urged speeding up to achieve visible results within the year, believing that the four major reforms in pensions, healthcare, education, and labor are directly linked to people's livelihoods." He added, "We understand that the President is deeply considering various ways to communicate with the public at this critical midterm point of his administration."