Yoon, Who Emphasized 'Freedom' at Inauguration, Focuses on 'Leap Forward' in New Year's Address

President Yoon Seok-yeol to Deliver New Year's Address on January 1 Next Year
Determined to Complete Three Major Reforms in Labor, Education, and Pension

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Since his inauguration, President Yoon Seok-yeol has emphasized "freedom," but as he reaches the seventh month of his term this year-end and New Year, he is focusing on the message of "rebound." This is interpreted as an effort to build consensus through concrete messages that can increase public awareness in order to overcome the prolonged economic recession and complete the three major reforms.

According to the Presidential Office on the 30th, President Yoon Seok-yeol will deliver a New Year's address on January 1st next year via live broadcast, emphasizing strategies to overcome the economic crisis and the "three major reforms" including labor, education, and pensions.

Regarding overcoming the economic crisis, the address is expected to include a focus on policy efforts to revitalize the private sector and market, centered on boosting exports and fostering startups. In particular, emphasis will be placed on conveying the message that "the three major reforms will be the foundation for Korea's rebound." The Presidential Office shares the view that the three major reforms are the stepping stones for Korea's resurgence.

Since his inauguration, President Yoon has emphasized a market economy based on liberal democracy in his Liberation Day speeches, overseas visits, and domestic and international activities, which has been evaluated as somewhat idealistic. Especially in his inaugural address last May, he stated, "I stand here today with the historic mission to rebuild this country as a nation where the people are the true owners based on liberal democracy and a market economy system, and to make it a country that fulfills its responsibilities and roles in the international community," emphasizing "freedom" 35 times as the core value of governance.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, as the national economic losses caused by the Cargo Solidarity strike have continued, he has begun to reveal a concrete will and direction for reform under the banner of "leap forward." In recent meetings chaired by the president, including the Chief Secretaries Meeting, Cabinet Meeting, National Economic Advisory Council, and Government Task Review Meeting, President Yoon has repeatedly emphasized specific reform targets such as resolving the dual structure of the labor market, flexibilization of the 52-hour workweek system, rule of law principles in labor-management relations, and financial transparency of labor unions.

He is also preparing education reforms, after stepping back from the controversy over enrolling 5-year-olds in elementary school last August. Pension reform, which has a long-term impact on the public, has a set deadline to announce concrete reform plans by the end of this administration or the beginning of the next government.

In recent New Year's cards sent to elders in various fields, key figures, national merit recipients and their families, socially disadvantaged groups, foreign heads of state and major foreign figures, and overseas Koreans, President Yoon promised, "We are overcoming difficult and challenging times and creating a better future," and "Together with the great people, we will achieve a new leap forward."

Since national consensus is essential for a rebound through reform, the method of communication with the public is also evolving into a form that can produce concrete results. From the early days of his administration, President Yoon has conducted 61 door-stepping sessions (brief Q&A on the way to work), where reporters ask questions and the president responds with his views or government policies, resulting in fragmented communication.

On the other hand, recently, President Yoon has involved citizen panels in various meetings he chairs and invited private experts to ministry briefings to reflect public opinion in policies. A Presidential Office official said, "We will continue to review various forms of communication with the public, including press conferences, and discuss which methods are best for conveying the government's thoughts to the people and listening to their opinions."

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