Jeong Sye-gyun Urges KDI on Its 50th Anniversary to Design an 'Inclusive' Future Where All Citizens Prosper

KDI President Choi Jung-pyo is delivering a commemorative speech at the 50th anniversary ceremony of KDI on the 10th.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korea Development Institute (KDI) on the 10th, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun urged KDI to design an 'inclusive economy' for the people.

At the KDI 50th anniversary ceremony held at 2 p.m. that day, Prime Minister Chung said, "If KDI has been at the center of economic design for 'prosperity' over the past 50 years, I hope you will now devote yourselves to economic design aimed at 'inclusion' that eliminates disparities and enables all citizens to live well."

Earlier, KDI President Choi Jung-pyo also emphasized, "With the COVID-19 pandemic, the reorganization of the global economic cooperation system, digital transformation, low birthrate and aging population, Korea has entered a new phase, and the new era demands a new role from KDI," adding, "KDI will continue to maintain the rigor and excellence of research while strengthening its social responsibilities." He further explained, "We will focus on proposing solutions for dynamic economic management and inclusive social composition with the goal of realizing a quality of life where all members of society are happy together."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki, who attended the ceremony, also stressed in his congratulatory remarks, "Just as KDI has played a driving role in the development of the Korean economy over the past 50 years, I hope it will once again gather collective intelligence and serve as a focal point for innovation in our economy and society."

KDI is the first think tank in the social sciences field established in March 1971 to formulate economic plans and policies suited to Korea's circumstances. Over the past 50 years, it has contributed to rational policy formulation and institutional reform through in-depth research on macroeconomics, finance, fiscal policy, welfare, labor, industry, trade, and the North Korean economy, covering the entire economic and social spectrum.

Founded with U.S. aid funds, KDI started with 12 scholars and has grown into a comprehensive policy research institute with about 500 staff members. In particular, it is recognized for establishing its role and status as a global think tank through joint research with international organizations such as the OECD, World Bank, IMF, and world-renowned research institutions like the Brookings Institution, as well as through the KSP project that shares Korea's economic development experience with the international community. In January, it ranked 16th among 11,175 research institutions worldwide and 5th excluding the United States in the '2020 Global Think Tank Ranking.'

Meanwhile, the KDI 50th anniversary ceremony held that day was conducted as an 'online ceremony' open to everyone and was broadcast live on Zoom and KDI's official YouTube channel.

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