Yoon: "Never Give Up on the Four Major Reforms and Complete Them... Saemaeul Spirit Is Essential"

Yoon Attends National Saemaeul Leaders Conference for 3rd Year
"If the 4 Major Reforms Are Not Implemented Immediately, Survival Cannot Be Guaranteed"
"The Spirit of the Saemaeul Movement Is More Urgent Than Ever"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the '2024 National Saemaeul Leaders Conference' held on the 5th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 5th, "We will never give up and will definitely complete the four major reforms."

President Yoon made these remarks while attending the '2024 National Saemaeul Leaders Conference' held at KINTEX in Ilsan that morning. Since his first year in office, President Yoon has visited this event for three consecutive years to encourage the members. About 10,000 members from all over the country attended the event.

President Yoon said, "There are other reform tasks ahead of us," adding, "The four major reforms in healthcare, pensions, labor, and education are urgent structural reform tasks that must be undertaken immediately, or the survival of the nation cannot be guaranteed."

He continued, "However, reforms inevitably face resistance, which is why previous governments failed and gave up on reforms," and pledged, "We will definitely complete the four major reforms to achieve a greater leap forward for the Republic of Korea and open the path to freedom and prosperity."

He also pointed out, "We are currently facing unprecedented crises and challenges," noting, "Due to the Ukraine war, Middle East conflicts, and other factors, the global security and economic situation is unpredictable, and North Korea threatens our security and world peace."

He particularly mentioned that structural issues such as low birthrate, aging population, and low growth are hindering Korea's new leap forward.

President Yoon said, "The spirit of the Saemaeul Movement, which turned crises into opportunities, is more urgently needed than ever," and added, "We must revive the Saemaeul spirit and turn the current crisis into a stepping stone for Korea's great leap forward."

He emphasized that Korea's present was made possible because of the Saemaeul Movement, the greatest reform movement that changed our society and history.

Regarding the spirit of the Saemaeul Movement, President Yoon evaluated it as "diligence, self-help, and cooperation, with self-help being the core among the three."

President Yoon said, "By adopting the spirit of 'Heaven helps those who help themselves' as the national policy foundation, Korea achieved explosive growth," and added, "However, it is regrettable that this spirit is gradually disappearing. I hope Saemaeul leaders and all of you will take the lead in reviving the spirit of diligence, self-help, and cooperation so that we can move toward a future of leap and prosperity."

Before his congratulatory speech, President Yoon recognized the contributions of 17 individuals, including Kwak Myung-soon, President of the Chungcheongbuk-do Saemaeul Women's Association (recipient of the Saemaeul Medal for Self-help), by awarding them medals and commendations for their leadership in community revitalization and carbon neutrality efforts.

The event was attended by about 10,000 members nationwide, including Kim Kwang-rim, President of the Saemaeul Central Association, provincial and city presidents, university club federations, and youth federations. Also present were Ko Ki-dong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Kang Seok-ho, President of the Federation of Freedom; Kim Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Central Council for Right Living; and Jeon Gwang-sam, Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office.