Acting President Lee: "Strengthening International Order Is Key to Restoring a Cooperative and Inclusive Economic Environment"

The 20th Jeju Forum
Lee Juho: "We must move beyond the logic of power to restore a cooperative and inclusive global order"
Calls for innovative solutions to complex global crises at the opening ceremony

Lee Juho, Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Education, stated on the 29th, "We must move beyond the logic of power to strengthen a norm-based international order and governance, and restore a mutually cooperative and inclusive economic environment."

Lee Juho, Acting President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Education. Photo by Yonhap News

At the opening ceremony of the '20th Jeju Forum' held at the Jeju Convention Center on this day, Acting President Lee delivered a keynote speech via video, saying, "In the international community, which has become a hyper-connected society, it is time to seek new solutions to overcome the complex crises we face."

He expressed concern, saying, "Today, the international community is caught in a vortex of complex crises and uncertainty. The ongoing armed conflicts in Europe and the Middle East pose a significant challenge to the norm-based international order, and the climate crisis fundamentally threatens humanity's sustainable prosperity." He added, "The global economy is facing structural instability due to intensifying protectionism and prioritization of national interests, the restructuring of global supply chains, and increased volatility in financial markets. These factors pose a major threat to the common prosperity of humanity. Furthermore, the rapid advancement of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence is opening up new opportunities for humanity, while simultaneously presenting serious challenges to social and ethical standards and global governance."

He continued, "As the chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this year, the Republic of Korea is playing a leading role in promoting shared prosperity based on solidarity and cooperation, even amid various challenges." He also expressed anticipation for the APEC meeting to be held in Gyeongju in the second half of this year.

Addressing the forum participants, he said, "I hope you will present practical and innovative solutions to a range of global issues. I am confident that the wisdom and insight you share will serve as the foundation for healing disputes and conflicts and fostering 'peace and shared prosperity.'"