[President Moon's Policy Speech] Repeated Emphasis on 'Cooperation'... Also Reveals North Korea's Willingness for Dialogue

Politics and Diplomatic Security
"Delay in Launching the Public Corruption Investigation Office, End It Now"
"West Sea Death Incident Confirms Urgent Need for Peace Regime"

President Moon Jae-in is looking at the People Power Party lawmakers who are protesting during his 2021 budget address at the National Assembly plenary session on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] President Moon Jae-in emphasized "cooperation" several times during his National Assembly policy speech on the 28th, explaining next year's budget proposal, seemingly aware of the conflicting situations in the National Assembly over major issues such as the Lime and Optimus private equity fund scandals and the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI).

President Moon said, "The National Assembly has demonstrated its strength through a tradition of cooperation during times of crisis," adding, "In unprecedented crises like the current one, cooperation is even more urgent." He also urged, "The people hope that the ruling and opposition parties will fiercely compete but work in a bipartisan manner to overcome national difficulties," and appealed, "Let us join hands and overcome the national crisis together."

This remark is interpreted as a call for the ruling and opposition parties to show cooperation rather than conflict in overcoming the crisis, given the increasing economic and social difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. President Moon requested the passage of livelihood bills, including the Infectious Disease Prevention Act, to overcome COVID-19, emphasizing "especially the National Assembly's role for socially vulnerable groups."

President Moon explained, "The socio-economic crisis caused by infectious diseases is not equal for everyone," and "Disasters first affect the vulnerable and are more severe for them, but our society has not sufficiently established safety nets for those in difficulty." He said, "I ask the National Assembly to pool wisdom to prepare sustainable measures for those who are not institutionally protected."

Regarding the "Fair Economy Three Acts" promoted by the government and ruling party, he effectively called for opposition cooperation. President Moon also mentioned the Police Act, which includes the establishment of the National Investigation Headquarters and the introduction of the autonomous police system, and the National Intelligence Service Act, which aims to abolish the counterintelligence investigation authority, emphasizing, "Please bring these to fruition through legislation."

On the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI), which has emerged as the biggest political issue, President Moon said, "It embodies the people's desire for investigations without sanctuary and reform of power institutions," and urged, "Please end the delay in launching the HOCI now." Unlike last year's policy speech, which focused on persuading the opposition by explaining the necessity, this time he placed emphasis on "results."

In the field of diplomacy and security, he stressed peace on the Korean Peninsula, saying, "We will seek continuous dialogue."

President Moon stated, "Dialogue has stopped again, and recent deaths of our citizens in the West Sea have caused great concern among the people. We will transparently disclose the facts and fulfill the government's responsibility," but also said, "At the same time, this has become an opportunity to reaffirm the urgency of a peace regime." He added, "I hope that North and South Korea will find a path of coexistence to overcome infectious diseases affecting humans and livestock, as well as disasters and calamities," emphasizing, "Even if it takes time, we must inevitably move toward peace."

He also emphasized "strong security." He said, "The government's unchanging philosophy is that strong security is the foundation of peace," and added, "We have further increased defense investment, the last bastion of national security." The government has expanded the defense budget to 52.9 trillion won in next year's budget proposal.

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