Song Young-gil: "Yoon's Inaugural Speech Is Dismal... Where Is the Livelihood?"

"Among postwar newly independent countries, the only nation to leap to advanced status, and yet they talk about 'rebuilding' the country"
"Freedom, science, technology, innovation... all the good words are used, but where is 'livelihood'?"
"President Yoon's unkept promises, I will keep them as mayor of Seoul"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, gave a summary of "devastating" regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's inaugural address as the 20th president on the 10th.

Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Seoul mayor, holds a press conference for the launch of the UN 5 Headquarters Attraction Committee at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 6th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the same day, Song posted on his Facebook, saying, "Congratulations on President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration," while also stating, "I could not help but feel devastated after listening to the president's inaugural address."

Song said, "I hoped he would lead a 'united Korea' as shown on the congratulatory banner for his election, but after hearing the inaugural address, I am worried," and pointed out the part in the speech where President Yoon said, "I will rebuild this country based on liberal democracy and a market economy system, making the people the true owners of the country."

Song expressed surprise at the use of the word "rebuild" regarding the country, saying, "Historically, when past presidents used the term 'national reconstruction,' it was in the context of rebuilding a country devastated by war or during national crises like the IMF financial crisis. Our people, who uniquely advanced as a developed country among post-war newly independent nations and achieved both industrialization and democratization, would have made it difficult to use the term 'national reconstruction' if true respect was intended."

He also questioned the understanding of democracy. Referring to the part of the inaugural address that said, "Anti-intellectualism, which suppresses opposing opinions by the power of the majority, is putting democracy in crisis and damaging faith in democracy," he said, "The 'anti-intellectualism' mentioned by the president is a term that starts from the ideology of hostility and distrust toward knowledge and study, and is used to interpret and criticize fascism and McCarthyism. I want to believe that the Republic of Korea, which inherits the legal legitimacy of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea established by the March 1st Movement and the democratic ideals of the April 19 Revolution that resisted injustice, is not a fascist or McCarthyist country, and that our people who succeeded in the May 18 Democratization Movement, the June Democratic Uprising, and the Candlelight Revolution praised worldwide are not considered ignorant by the president."

Song criticized, "You mentioned 'expansion of freedom' for prosperity, abundance, and economic growth, but where is the livelihood of the people? Freedom, science, technology, innovation ? all good words are included, but to my ears, it sounds like ignoring the people's livelihood issues."

He emphasized, "I will keep the promises that President Yoon did not keep, at least to the citizens of Seoul, by becoming the mayor of Seoul."

Regarding national defense and security, he pointed out, "There was no mention of it anywhere in the inaugural address," and criticized, "I hope the reason for taking the Ministry of National Defense building as the presidential office is not due to ignorance and indifference toward national defense and security."

Finally, Song shared Article 66 of the Constitution, saying, "I sincerely hope the president will hold and practice the duties of the president in his heart throughout the five years," and shared the relevant provisions: '① The president is the head of state and represents the country in foreign affairs. ② The president is responsible for safeguarding the country's independence, territorial integrity, continuity, and the Constitution. ③ The president has a sincere duty for the peaceful reunification of the homeland. ④ Executive power belongs to the government headed by the president.'"

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