[New Year’s Address] Koo Yoon-chul: “2026, the First Year of Rebounding Potential Growth... Building a Robust Economic System”

Presenting “Seunggi Changdo” as the Theme for the Year of the Red Horse
Efforts to Spread AI Transformation Policies Across Everyday Life

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-chul stated in his 2026 New Year’s address, “We will build a robust economic system that remains unshaken in the face of any crisis,” and declared, “We will make 2026 the first year of a rebound in our potential growth rate.”

Deputy Prime Minister Koo made clear his determination to stabilize people’s livelihoods and create a turning point for economic progress through active fiscal and policy responses, even as external uncertainties such as global technological hegemony competition and the spread of protectionism persist.

To mark Byeongo Year, the “Year of the Red Horse,” Deputy Prime Minister Koo presented “Seunggi Changdo” (Seizing Opportunities to Forge New Paths) as the key theme for the new year. He explained, “Strong winds and waves are threats, but if we do not falter and ride them, we can sail farther,” adding, “I am determined to seize rapidly passing opportunities in a timely manner and carve out new paths for everyone.” He emphasized that in a rapidly changing global order, hesitation leads directly to lost opportunities.

He also assessed last year’s economic performance. Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, “Since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, we have promoted stability in people’s livelihoods and laid the foundation for a major economic leap forward through proactive fiscal and policy measures,” adding, “In the third quarter of this year, the economic growth rate reached 1.3 percent, the highest in 45 months, and for the first time ever, the stock market surpassed the 4,000 mark.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-chul attended the Economic Ministers' Meeting and Growth Strategy Task Force held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 31st, speaking about the annual consumer price trends and support for vulnerable groups during the winter season. 2025.12.31 Photo by Jo Yongjun

Regarding the domestic and international conditions surrounding 2026, he said, “The environment is challenging due to the global technological hegemony war and changes in the trade environment,” and added, “We will use last year’s experiences as lessons to build an even stronger economic structure.” He also stated, “We will mobilize every policy tool to establish an economic system that will not be shaken by any crisis.”

Deputy Prime Minister Koo especially identified macroeconomic management and the recovery of the real economy as top priorities. He plans to improve consumer sentiment and stimulate investment based on price stability, thereby revitalizing both the national and regional economies. He said, “We will ensure that people can feel the effects of our policies in their daily lives,” and added, “We will meticulously support policies to promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, as well as to ease polarization by supporting vulnerable groups.”

Regarding future growth engines, he presented the “AI Grand Transformation” and the realization of a “Super-Innovative Economy” as core tasks. Deputy Prime Minister Koo emphasized, “We will ensure that AI transformation policies are spread in a timely manner across industries and daily life,” and added, “We will prepare to become a world-leading nation in advanced technology fields such as Physical AI, and to emerge as the ‘center of the new AI civilization’ in the Asia-Pacific region.” He also pledged to steadfastly pursue major policy tasks such as fostering national strategic industries, realizing productive finance, actively creating national wealth, and bold fiscal innovation.

He also mentioned institutional changes. Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, “In 2026, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will be newly launched as the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the Ministry of Planning and Budget,” adding, “As Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, I will reaffirm my responsibilities, listen to the public, and strengthen growth engines through cooperation and coordination with related ministries.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol is attending the Economic Ministers' Meeting and Growth Strategy Task Force held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on December 31, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Deputy Prime Minister Koo further stated, “Now is a critical moment when we must read and adapt to changes in world history with a sense of resolve as if our survival depends on it,” emphasizing the concept of ‘new survival of the fittest.’ He explained, “Survival of the fittest is not about the logic of the strong, but about those who proactively adapt to change,” and added, “Korea is a country that has achieved progress through collective evolution even amid countless turbulent waves.”

In closing, Deputy Prime Minister Koo said, “In every era of change, it has always been the people who have written the new narrative,” declaring, “We will begin 2026 with bold steps, trusting in and walking together with the people.” He concluded, “The government will do its utmost to help design a better tomorrow and a brighter year ahead.”