Ahn Cheol-soo: "Even if the next president makes mistakes, it will be the first government to initiate long-term policies"

'One Month of the Transition Team' Press Conference
"In One Word, Regret... Worked Silently More Than Any Previous Transition Team"
"National Tasks to Be Announced Early Next Month... Divided into Immediately Feasible and Mid-to-Long-Term Tasks"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Geum Boryeong] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee establishing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national agenda, stated on the 18th, "We will be the first government to start long-term policies spanning 10 to 20 years, not just the 5 years aligned with the presidential term." Reflecting on the past month of transition committee activities, he described it as 'regrettable' but emphasized, "We are quietly doing our work without controversy more than any previous transition committee."

Chairman Ahn made these remarks during a press briefing held at the transition committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, marking one month since the official launch of the committee.

The transition committee, which officially launched last month on the 18th, is now at the halfway point of a marathon with about three weeks remaining. Chairman Ahn expressed, "I wish I had not two ears and two feet but a thousand," and shared, "I once again deeply felt that the people have many things they want to say for themselves, their families, and the country."

Seeming to respond to criticism that no significant national policy direction has been visible during the past month, Chairman Ahn said, "There were concerned voices questioning whether we lacked presence, but I want to emphasize that we have worked nonstop for four weeks." He added, "The postponement of government organization restructuring was also a result of respecting the will of the people and the National Assembly." He further self-assessed, "Regarding the transition committee’s core tasks of organizing national philosophy and agenda, we have been quietly and diligently working without causing controversy, receiving evaluations better than any previous transition committee."

Chairman Ahn announced that from this week, major tasks by division will be revealed. The entire national agenda will be announced in early next month. He stated, "The national agenda will be divided into immediately feasible tasks and mid- to long-term tasks," and emphasized, "We will eliminate the chronic problem of focusing only on short-term achievements within the president’s term and become the first government to start policies that require long periods of 10 or 20 years." He added, "Even if this government is criticized for spending costs without any achievements and the next or the following president reaps the benefits, we will start such initiatives for the future of the nation."

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