President Moon: "Chairman Kim Jong-un's Return Visit, South and North Will Work Together"

New Year's Address, Chairman Kim Jong-un Mentions Return Visit... Pledges "Inclusion, Innovation, Fairness, and Definitive Change"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated in his New Year's address for the Year of the Gyeongja (庚子) delivered at the central lobby of the Blue House main building on the 7th, "I hope that South and North Korea will work together to quickly create conditions for a joint event to reaffirm the will for peaceful reunification, as well as for North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's reciprocal visit."

President Moon officially proposed Chairman Kim's reciprocal visit for the first time since the September 19, 2018 Pyongyang Joint Declaration. At that time, President Moon expressed his intention for a 'visit within the year,' but it was canceled due to various issues such as difficulties in North Korea-US negotiations and security concerns.

In this New Year's address, President Moon said, "There are also things that South and North Korea can do through cooperation," and proposed, "I suggest starting cooperation in border areas for the joint safety of the 80 million Korean people. I believe Chairman Kim shares the same will."

On the 7th, citizens are watching President Moon Jae-in's New Year's address in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

President Moon said, "The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) holds tremendous value, including ecology, history, inter-Korean reconciliation, and peace," and asserted, "Joint registration as a UNESCO World Heritage site is something we can start right away." He also pledged, "We will continue efforts to resume operations of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism."

In his New Year's address, President Moon emphasized the keyword 'certain change' and expressed his determination regarding state governance. He said, "This year, I will repay the people's hard work with certain change," and added, "I will ensure that the people can tangibly feel definite changes in inclusion, innovation, and fairness."

President Moon reflected, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of the April 19 Revolution and the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement, reminding us of the noble spirit that defended the democratic republic by raising candles three years ago," and explained, "The government has unwaveringly worked to eradicate widespread unfairness and privilege in our society and to address inequality and polarization."

President Moon defined 'fairness' as the air surrounding our economy and society and expressed his will to spread the value of fairness throughout society. He said, "Recently, the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act passed the National Assembly," and asserted, "Once the investigation authority adjustment bill is processed and the legal and institutional foundation for reforming power institutions is completed, society will become more fair and stronger social trust will be formed."

In particular, President Moon emphasized again the reform of power institutions, saying, "I will not stop legal, institutional, and administrative reforms until any power institution is evaluated as an institution that works with the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the real estate issues that concern the public, President Moon stated, "The government's will for market stabilization, protection of actual demanders, and suppression of speculation is firm," and declared, "We will never lose the war against real estate speculation."

President Moon also emphasized definite changes in the economy and jobs. He said, "Jobs are the foundation of people's lives," and added, "Especially, we will resolve employment stagnation among people in their 40s, who are the backbone of our economy, and in the manufacturing sector." He promised, "This year, we will spread the spirit of innovation throughout the economy," and "We will support the growth of venture startups so that more unicorn companies emerge."

Along with this, President Moon pledged, "This year, we will increase total export volume again and accelerate export structure innovation to leap into the world's top 4 exporters by 2030," and "We will also make every effort to create a better corporate investment environment."

President Moon said, "The most beautiful change is the arduous process of transformation from a caterpillar to a butterfly," and added, "Now, if we 'certainly change' into a butterfly, we will achieve 'co-prosperous leap' with two wings of labor and management, two wings of small and large enterprises, two wings of conservatism and progressivism, and two wings of South and North Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.