[Full Text] President Moon Jae-in's 21st National Assembly Opening Speech

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Dear respected citizens,

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok,

Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee and members of the National Assembly,

Congratulations on the opening of the 21st National Assembly together with the people.

Although we have faced many difficulties from the very beginning,

I sincerely hope that we will shake off all the pains so far, reflect together,

and start the 21st National Assembly with a new mindset.

The 21st National Assembly has elected the highest number of female lawmakers in history.

The number of young lawmakers in their 20s and 30s has also increased fourfold compared to the 20th National Assembly.

Representatives of the people have been elected from diverse backgrounds including

persons with disabilities, workers, firefighters, nurses, athletes, and cultural and artistic figures,

who will represent the various voices of the people.

The National Assembly building is a place that must be reborn every day

to achieve a “country where everyone prospers together,”

and it is the engine of the Republic of Korea that cannot stop even for a moment.

With Speaker Park Byeong-seok, who has six terms and unified leadership,

and Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee, the first female deputy speaker in constitutional history,

we look forward with the people to a National Assembly where experience and passion, maturity and freshness, debate and compromise harmonize.

On the 16th, citizens are watching the live broadcast of President Moon Jae-in's opening speech of the 21st National Assembly in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Members of the National Assembly,

Our National Assembly has demonstrated its strength in times of crisis

through the tradition of “solidarity and cooperation.”

During the Korean War, even in the evacuation periods in Daegu and Busan,

the National Assembly kept its doors open to discuss the livelihood of the people,

and stood with the people through relief efforts for refugees and visits to soldiers.

Even under expulsion and house arrest of lawmakers, senior members

kept the flame of democracy alive and overcame dictatorship.

One of the most meaningful retrospectives during the COVID-19 pandemic

is the enactment of the “National Basic Livelihood Security Act” during the 15th National Assembly.

By institutionalizing the guarantee of basic living including minimum livelihood, education, and medical care,

the National Assembly laid the foundation for welfare and protected the lives of the people

amid the difficulties of the foreign exchange crisis.

The capacity that allows our country to overcome COVID-19 today

was accumulated and nurtured through the National Assembly’s livelihood legislation.

During the 20th National Assembly, facing the era’s task of a “fair and just country,”

you worked for the lives and safety of the people throughout the three years of our government’s term.

Thanks to many legislative achievements of the 20th National Assembly,

we were able to lay the groundwork for an “innovative inclusive nation.”

The 20th National Assembly also played a significant role in overcoming Japan’s export restrictions.

You worked hard until the end of your term to swiftly process the first and second supplementary budgets

and respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

I take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the hard work of the 20th National Assembly.

However, I must also speak frankly.

Despite the achievements and efforts of the 20th National Assembly,

it is true that the public’s evaluation was very low.

While the political awareness of the people continued to rise,

real politics could not keep up.

I believe the greatest failure was the “failure of cooperation.”

Before the abbreviated presidential inauguration ceremony, I first visited the four opposition parties,

and during the 20th National Assembly, I held ten meetings with party leaders and floor leaders

invited by the Blue House,

and also convened the permanent consultative body for state affairs among the ruling and opposition parties.

Moreover, I tried to communicate through various opportunities such as multiple National Assembly policy speeches.

Each time, we pledged cooperation before the people,

but it was not followed by action.

“Cooperation” requires both hands to clap.

Without blaming anyone, I must confess it is a shared responsibility of all of us, including myself.

The 21st National Assembly must end confrontational and hostile politics

and surely open a /new-deleted/ “era of cooperation.”

In the current global crisis and upheaval, cooperation is even more urgent.

Responding to the people’s wish for bipartisan cooperation to overcome national difficulties,

I sincerely hope you will compete with better politics and policies.

Members of the National Assembly,

There has never been a moment in our constitutional history that was not important,

but now is a particularly grave time on which the future of the Republic of Korea depends.

The virus has completely changed human daily life and devastated the global economy.

It is even reshaping the international order.

On the 16th, citizens are watching the live broadcast of President Moon Jae-in's speech at the opening ceremony of the 21st National Assembly in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

We too are experiencing great difficulties in daily life across the nation,

and have suffered the loss of about 290 citizens so far.

The shock to our economy, including exports and employment, is also becoming serious.

One consolation amid this is that

our people have “rediscovered” the Republic of Korea in the process of responding to the crisis.

Social trust has been built that my safety is protected by my neighbors,

and we protect the safety of our neighbors together.

We have accumulated a shared experience and collective memory that solidarity and cooperation can overcome any difficulty.

Our people have highly evaluated our own capabilities,

and pride in “we are an advanced country” has risen higher than ever.

Having experienced colonization and war while chasing advanced countries,

we had no time to reflect on our own capabilities,

but now, through comparisons with countries we once envied,

and through the eyes of the international community,

we can confirm our status.

Including the already global standard “K-quarantine,”

our people have capabilities leading the world in many fields such as democracy, economy, culture, and society.

While other countries hesitated or postponed nationwide elections,

we held nationwide elections alone in the world,

harmonizing quarantine and democracy thanks to the high civic awareness of the people.

Among the 29 million voters who participated and 300,000 election management personnel,

not a single infection occurred, a miracle.

As all citizens became agents of quarantine,

we expanded “individual freedom” to “freedom for all,”

opening a new horizon of “democracy.”

The international community praised our people for demonstrating

“how true democracy works,”

and sought to learn from our successful election quarantine.

While the world economy was closing its doors,

we took the lead in global cooperation,

showing that quarantine and economy can be managed together.

With the spirit of “solidarity and cooperation,”

we supported many countries with quarantine supplies including diagnostic kits and masks,

and are cooperating across borders in vaccine and treatment development.

From BTS and K-pop to K-content such as the movie Parasite,

the capabilities and mature civic consciousness of our people are astonishing and admirable.

Now it is time for politics to support this.

We must place the Republic of Korea, “rediscovered” by the people, on a solid foundation.

The 21st National Assembly is entrusted with the mission to overcome COVID-19

with the power gathered by the people,

and to create a country that leads the world.

Please become the center leading “national unity,”

which is essential for this historic task.

The government will also do its best.

Let us together create and overcome the historic turning point

to overcome national difficulties, lead the “post-COVID-19 era,”

and achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Members of the National Assembly,

Overcoming national difficulties is the top national priority at this time.

We must unite national capabilities to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people.

We can overcome the COVID-19 crisis faster and more exemplary than any other country in the world.

The principles of transparency, openness, and democracy adopted in our quarantine

have already become a global model.

The coexistence of quarantine and daily life

is being managed better than any other country thanks to the high civic awareness and community spirit of the people and the dedication of medical staff.

The government will steadfastly defend the quarantine front in the endless war against the virus.

I ask the National Assembly to support this through legislation.

Especially, as COVID-19 continues to spread globally,

it is necessary to strengthen the quarantine system.

Please promptly discuss and process organizational reform plans such as upgrading the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

In the economy, our country is performing relatively well compared to others.

Despite the global economic contraction, the Republic of Korea’s economic growth rate is the best among OECD countries,

according to consistent forecasts from international organizations such as the OECD and IMF.

They evaluate efficient quarantine and our government’s strong economic measures as the reasons.

In fact, unlike other countries, we succeeded in efficient quarantine without border or regional lockdowns,

and minimized economic shocks while keeping the economy running.

Bold and unprecedented government measures such as the first-ever disaster relief fund and three supplementary budgets

have contributed to protecting small business owners and maintaining employment,

and have accelerated the timetable for economic recovery.

Thanks to the efforts of the people who are normalizing economic activities while practicing safety rules,

our economic indicators have begun to improve little by little.

From the low point in April and May, through June and July,

signs of economic recovery have appeared in exports, consumption, and employment.

We must not miss this opportunity

and actively build on this momentum.

With the cooperation of the National Assembly,

we can have even greater strength to overcome the economic crisis.

It is time for everyone to devote their full efforts to achieve a rapid economic rebound.

The government will do its utmost.

I ask the National Assembly to join forces and support.

Members of the National Assembly,

Humanity faces an unprecedented great challenge.

The world before and after COVID-19 is fundamentally changing.

If we fail to actively respond to this great change,

we cannot move forward into the future.

We will remain a permanent second-tier country.

The government intends to actively lead unavoidable changes

and turn them into opportunities for leap forward.

We aim to open the future of a new Republic of Korea

that leads the world.

I hope the National Assembly will join hands and move toward the future together.

The Korean New Deal is the key to a new future.

It is a national development strategy to leap forward as a leading country.

From a follower economy to a leading economy,

from a carbon-dependent economy to a low-carbon economy,

from an unequal society to an inclusive society,

it is a declaration of a fundamental transformation of the Republic of Korea.

It is the blueprint for the next 100 years of the Republic of Korea.

The Korean New Deal will be promoted on the foundation of an inclusive nation

with two pillars: the Digital New Deal and the Green New Deal.

Digital civilization and the green revolution

are the future of humanity that the world must advance together.

We will lead this unstoppable global historical trend.

As a country leading the post-COVID-19 era,

we will write a new history that places the Republic of Korea not on the periphery but at the center of the world.

This is not a dream.

We already have global competitiveness in the digital field.

As the world’s top ICT competitor and the number one semiconductor country,

we have the technology and capabilities to lead the digital revolution.

We have sufficient soil for the development of non-face-to-face industries,

and the innovation venture startup boom is creating a dynamic economy.

If we combine our digital capabilities across all industries,

our economy can transform from a follower economy to a leading economy.

We can realize a world-leading digital number one country.

In the green sector, if we leverage our strengths, the possibilities are endless.

We already possess the world’s number one solar power company and technology,

and lead the hydrogen economy with world-class hydrogen car development.

We are also in the leading group in electric vehicles and electric batteries.

Although there are still many areas where we lag behind,

if we base ourselves on our strength in digital technology,

we can create the mainstream of the green revolution.

By leading the global order of solidarity and cooperation to solve the climate crisis,

we will enhance our industrial competitiveness amid increasingly strict international environmental regulations.

The Korean New Deal is a new social contract for the Republic of Korea.

It is a promise to turn the current crisis

into an opportunity to strengthen employment and social safety nets.

We will break the formula that “crisis deepens inequality.”

The government will take the lead.

We will gradually expand the employment safety net for all citizens,

strengthening the employment safety net for new types of workers such as freelancers and platform workers.

We will completely abolish the support obligation criteria by 2022,

and promote the pilot introduction of sickness benefits that allow people to rest when ill.

To successfully transition to the digital age and green revolution era,

we will expand investment in people.

We will strengthen talent development and vocational training systems,

and place special emphasis on investment to close the digital divide.

The government has promised unprecedented investment in the Korean New Deal.

We will directly invest 49 trillion won by 2022,

and 114 trillion won by 2025 from the national treasury.

Including local governments and the private sector,

the scale will reach 68 trillion won and 160 trillion won respectively.

Accordingly, 890,000 jobs will be created by 2022,

and 1.9 million jobs by 2025.

The government’s bold investment will lead new changes in the Republic of Korea beyond overcoming the crisis.

It will be a door of opportunity to leap forward as a leading country.

It will dramatically improve the quality of life of the people,

and provide new job opportunities for the people.

The Korean New Deal is also attracting attention overseas.

Recently, the OECD designated our country as

a “noteworthy exceptional country” with only a slight decline in growth rate in 2020,

and especially evaluated that “the Korean New Deal centered on digital and green

will improve employment and investment more than expected.”

Cooperation from the National Assembly is essential for the success of the Korean New Deal.

I hope for strong solidarity between the government and the National Assembly.

By adopting the Korean New Deal as a national development strategy,

I hope we will walk together on the path to becoming a world-leading country.

The government will fulfill its greater role and heavier responsibility.

I ask the National Assembly to join us.

The new era requires new norms.

Please join forces to reform regulations that hinder opening the new era.

Please accelerate institutional improvements suitable for the changed environment.

The National Assembly also has a great role in adjusting and integrating conflicts of interest

that may cause difficulties in moving forward.

Please pay special attention and affection to legislation to strengthen the increasingly urgent employment and social safety nets.

The Korean New Deal will continue to evolve.

It will spread to regions and the private sector,

dynamically transforming the Republic of Korea.

In particular, the Korean New Deal will connect with various region-led New Deal projects.

It will be a force to transform regions into digital spaces and green villages.

If members of the National Assembly actively play their roles,

I believe it will be a great help.

If you propose good ideas to spread the Korean New Deal to regions in the National Assembly,

the government will provide full support beyond party lines.

The Korean New Deal has just taken its first steps.

When the National Assembly joins and fills in the gaps,

the Korean New Deal’s vision will develop and be completed further.

The National Assembly and government must urgently respond

to the people’s demands for “livelihood” and “fair economy.”

The top legislative task for livelihood now is real estate measures.

Globally, liquidity is at an all-time high,

and interest rates are at an all-time low.

Without suppressing speculative demand flowing into real estate,

we cannot protect actual demanders.

The government will take all necessary measures to curb speculation and stabilize housing prices.

We will increase the housing holding burden on multi-homeowners,

and significantly raise capital gains tax on price differences,

making it clear that no more money can be made through real estate speculation.

On the other hand, we will ease the burden on actual residents with one household and one home,

and strongly promote measures for housing purchase and residential stability for low-income people and youth.

We will also listen to the opposition parties’ calls for expanding housing supply,

and actively seek necessary measures.

I ask the National Assembly to cooperate.

If the National Assembly does not support the government’s real estate measures

such as the “Three Lease Acts” through legislation,

the government’s measures will always be half-hearted.

Also, I hope bills for fair economy and coexistence such as the “Commercial Act,” “Fair Trade Act,” “Financial Group Supervision Act,”

“Large and Small Business Coexistence Act,” and “Distribution Industry Development Act”

will be promptly processed in the 21st National Assembly.

Members of the National Assembly,

Peace on the Korean Peninsula remains fragile.

The achievements in inter-Korean and North Korea-US relations, painstakingly made so far, are still incomplete.

Inter-Korean and North Korea-US relations are still like walking on thin ice.

Now is the time to put aside partisan interests and gather wisdom for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Peace is the foundation of sustainable prosperity.

Peace is absolutely essential for a safe life in the “post-COVID-19 era.”

We must never stop the steps toward peace.

Only dialogue can build trust between the North and South.

Through the power of dialogue,

we have experienced family reunions, the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the Peace Economy of Mount Kumgang,

successfully held the PyeongChang Olympics as a peace Olympics,

and led the first-ever North Korea-US summit.

Our people have overcome numerous difficulties for peace.

Even if barriers arise again, we will surely overcome them.

We will do our best to jointly implement the three principles agreed upon by the North and South:

“no war,” “mutual security guarantees,” and “joint prosperity.”

I ask the National Assembly to join us.

If the National Assembly guarantees the irreversible progress of inter-Korean relations

and “peace on the Korean Peninsula,”

the foundation for promoting “peace on the Korean Peninsula” will be stronger.

I hope the institutionalization of the achievements of past inter-Korean summits

and the first-ever “inter-Korean parliamentary talks” will be realized in the 21st National Assembly.

If the North and South cooperate in trust,

it benefits both sides.

Connecting inter-Korean railroads and roads and linking to the continent alone

can bring enormous logistics and economic benefits to both sides.

Above all, peace increases countless job opportunities.

If the 21st National Assembly joins forces,

we can more actively open the door to a “peace, security, and life community” centered on East Asia.

This could be a way to perpetuate denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,

or a regional cooperation method to respond to infectious disease crises such as the COVID-19 crisis.

Dear respected citizens,

Speaker of the National Assembly and members of the National Assembly,

Even if the government and National Assembly quickly improve laws and systems now,

it is often difficult to catch up with the rapidly developing reality.

The legislative speed of the National Assembly must be greatly/increased.

I expect the National Assembly to lead and guide the government

so that policies for the people can be implemented in a timely manner.

I also hope the National Assembly will take the lead in realizing the value of fairness, the spirit of the times.

The innovative DNA of our people

works stronger when there is a belief in a “fair society.”

In the 20th National Assembly, we prepared the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act and the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police,

which were reform tasks not achieved for over 20 years,

bringing us one step closer to reforming power institutions.

The legally set launch date of the Corruption Investigation Office has already passed.

The government has completed preparations including revising subordinate laws.

However, matters that the National Assembly must decide, including the appointment of the head of the Corruption Investigation Office, have not yet been done.

I repeatedly urge you to complete the recommendations and hold the confirmation hearings within this session,

and I expect the 21st National Assembly to complete the reform of power institutions.

The government will also do its best to support the path of the National Assembly for the people.

Without insisting on the form of dialogue, including the resumption of the “ruling-opposition-government permanent consultative body,”

we will expand communication with the National Assembly in various ways.

The ruling and opposition parties and the government will meet regularly to build trust,

and discuss and promote state affairs based on trust.

I sincerely hope that the values of inclusion and coexistence, solidarity and cooperation

will start in the National Assembly and deeply take root in our society.

With great expectations,

I once again congratulate the first start of the 21st National Assembly together with the people.

Thank you.

July 16, 2020

President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in

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