[New Year's Address] Woo Wonshik: "Focusing Legislation on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness, Ensuring Fair Competition, and Addressing Inequality"

Pushing for Constitutional Amendment in Line with June Local Elections
Accelerating the Institutionalization of National Assembly Social Dialogue
Calling for Judicial Justice and Restoration of Trust

On January 1, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik pledged, "We will focus on legislation that strengthens industrial competitiveness, ensures fair competition, and addresses inequality to improve people's livelihoods."

In his New Year's address that day, Speaker Woo stated, "There is a strong public demand for societal change," and added, "2026 must be a year that lays the groundwork for a major transformation toward the future, going beyond merely overcoming crises." He continued, "We must also begin in earnest the structural reforms that broaden the horizons of people's lives and enhance national competitiveness," and emphasized, "The National Assembly will take the lead in protecting the socially vulnerable and ensuring that the burden is not shifted onto future generations." He further stated, "We will accelerate efforts to institutionalize 'National Assembly Social Dialogue' and actively fulfill our role as a platform for conflict resolution and policy coordination."

He also expressed his ambition to open the door to constitutional amendment. He said, "It is important to address the long-standing task of constitutional reform, which has remained unresolved for nearly 40 years," and added, "We should make this year the starting point for constitutional amendment, beginning with any issues we can reach consensus on in conjunction with the nationwide local elections in June."

Speaker Woo also commented on the situation where, even under martial law, the first trial for key responsible parties has yet to be concluded, stating, "I feel both regret and a sense of responsibility." He continued, "At the end of last year, the National Assembly completed relevant legislation in line with the public's demand for swift and strict judicial procedures," and urged, "In the new year, I hope judicial justice will be fully realized, and on that foundation, social trust will be restored so that national capabilities can be unified."

He added, "We will strive to bring more hope and lessen your worries," and said, "I hope we can become a community that listens to those who are struggling and offers a shoulder to lean on, even if only for a moment."

The following is the full text of Speaker Woo's New Year's address.

Dear citizens, as a turbulent year comes to an end, a hopeful new year has dawned. I wish you all great fortune. With the energy of the 'Red Horse' of the Year of the Byeongo, I hope 2026 will be a year of vitality everywhere and a year in which everyone can freely pursue their aspirations.

Last year, thanks to the courage and wisdom of the people, our nation peacefully restored democratic constitutional order. We also successfully hosted the APEC Summit, proudly demonstrating the strength of the Republic of Korea to the world. It was a year that once again confirmed the great potential of the Korean people. The National Assembly will deeply reflect on the will shown by the people, firmly establish the value of popular sovereignty, and fulfill its responsibility to realize democracy that is proven through the lives of the people.

As we begin the new year, I am sure many of you feel both excitement and a heavy heart. One year has passed since the 12·3 Martial Law, yet we greet the new year without even having concluded the first trial for the main responsible parties. Amid ongoing political conflict over this issue, urgent livelihood and economic matters have been pushed aside. I feel regret and apologize to the people who are expressing anxiety, confusion, and fatigue.

At the end of last year, the National Assembly completed relevant legislation in response to the public's demand for swift and strict judicial procedures. In the new year, I hope judicial justice will be fully realized, and on that foundation, social trust will be restored so that national capabilities can be unified.

There is a strong public demand for societal change. In 2026, we must lay the foundation for a major transformation toward the future, going beyond merely overcoming crises. First, we must reignite the engine of growth and narrow disparities. Many people are asking, "If the economic indicators have improved, why is life still so tough?" Last year, exports reached an all-time high, and this year's economic growth rate is also expected to rise. However, with the continued high exchange rate, there are concerns that the growth gap between large corporations and small- and medium-sized enterprises, between exports and domestic demand, and between industries will widen. Although the employment rate is at its highest, the youth job market remains in a deep freeze. Employment trends and recovery also differ by industry.

We will focus on legislation that strengthens industrial competitiveness, ensures fair competition, and addresses inequality to improve people's livelihoods. In particular, as the National Assembly developed a 'multidimensional inequality index' last year, we will comprehensively examine patterns of inequality and enhance the effectiveness of policy alternatives.

We must also begin in earnest the structural reforms that broaden the horizons of people's lives and enhance national competitiveness. As these are complex and longstanding issues with many conflicting interests, there is considerable potential for social conflict. The National Assembly will take the lead in protecting the socially vulnerable and ensuring that the burden is not shifted onto future generations. We will accelerate efforts to institutionalize 'National Assembly Social Dialogue' and actively fulfill our role as a platform for conflict resolution and policy coordination. It is also important to address the long-standing task of constitutional reform, which has remained unresolved for nearly 40 years. We should make this year the starting point for constitutional amendment, beginning with any issues we can reach consensus on in conjunction with the nationwide local elections in June.

To protect the lives of the people and lead the Republic of Korea into the future, the National Assembly will also strive to enhance its capabilities and trust. We will actively pursue reforms such as system improvements and legal amendments, aiming for a 'National Assembly that meets public expectations, works efficiently, and strengthens the separation of powers.' The National Assembly Archives, which will enhance the responsibility and transparency of parliamentary activities, will be launched in February. We will also unveil a rendering of the National Assembly Sejong Building within the first half of the year.

We will strive to bring more hope and lessen your worries. However, efforts by the National Assembly and the public sector alone will not be enough. We need to hold onto one another. I hope we can become a community that listens to those who are struggling and offers a shoulder to lean on, even if only for a moment. Even if we move slowly, if we walk together, the road will continue. The path is always among the people, and hope is powerful.

I wish happiness fills every home throughout the year.