Yoon: "Corrected Wrong National Policy Direction Over 1 Year... Focus on Economy and Livelihood in 2nd Year" (Comprehensive)

Lunch with Party Leadership and State Council Members Urging "Speed of Change"
Watched Youth Baseball Game at Yongsan Children's Garden After Lunch
Third Surprise Visit to Press Room Since Inauguration

On the 10th, marking the first anniversary of his inauguration, President Yoon Suk-yeol met with senior ruling party and government officials and stated, "In the second year of our administration, we will focus on addressing the economic and livelihood crises, place the center of diplomacy on the economy, and overcome the complex crises through exports."

That afternoon, President Yoon held a luncheon at the Yongsan Presidential Office with the leadership of the People Power Party, cabinet members, and presidential aides. According to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon’s briefing, he said, "The past year was a process of correcting the wrong direction of state affairs on a broad scale."

President Yoon first pointed out, "The public sentiment in the last presidential election was to correct unfairness and irrationality," adding, "Security relying solely on North Korea’s goodwill, anti-market policies, and abnormal real estate policies are representative examples."

He continued, "It takes a lot of time and effort to rebuild what has collapsed, but I am confident that we are moving in the right direction for the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also explained, "In the second year, we will support the flourishing of entrepreneurial spirit and establish the rule of law in labor relations to make every effort to ensure safety in the workplace. Since we have limited natural resources and a small market, only through effort can our people live more prosperously. We will also strive to enhance our national stature and make responsible contributions in the international community so that our people and businesses can freely compete and operate globally."

He further stated, "Over the past year, our people felt that the pace of change and reform was somewhat insufficient. In the second year, we will accelerate the pace so that the people can directly experience the changes."

He encouraged, "When you are on a boat on a river, if the boat moves too slowly, you cannot tell whether you are floating or moving. We need to speed up to feel the change. Let us cooperate and work harder for another year ahead."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At around 1:40 p.m. that day, President Yoon toured the press room on the first floor of the Yongsan Presidential Office and shook hands with reporters one by one. This was his third visit to the press room, following his visits immediately after his inauguration on May 13 last year and after the overnight response to Typhoon Hinnamnor on September 6 last year.

Present in the press room were People Power Party leaders including Kim Gi-hyeon, floor leader Yoon Jae-ok, and policy committee chairman Park Dae-chul; government officials such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho; and presidential aides including National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong, Chief of State Planning Lee Gwan-seop, Political Affairs Secretary Lee Jin-bok, Civil Society Secretary Kang Seung-gyu, Public Relations Secretary Kim Eun-hye, Economic Secretary Choi Sang-mok, and Social Affairs Secretary Ahn Sang-hoon.

After the luncheon, President Yoon, cabinet members, and ruling party leaders toured the recently renovated second floor of the Presidential Office building and viewed gifts from overseas visits before watching a youth baseball game at the Yongsan Children's Garden.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon then visited the press room where the Yongsan Presidential Office press corps stays and shook hands with reporters individually. This was his third visit to the press room, following his visits immediately after his inauguration on May 13 last year and after the overnight response to Typhoon Hinnamnor on September 6 last year.

He then met reporters again in the open lounge located in the press room corridor and expressed, "You have helped a lot over the past year and provided good critiques as we work for national development. Thanks to you, I believe we have been able to carry out our work reasonably well over the past year."

He added, "In the new year ahead, I ask the media to accurately point out issues and provide good critiques and precise reporting when our direction is wrong or when the pace is too fast or too slow, so that you can help lead our government well. I truly appreciate your support over the past year and ask for your continued assistance."

Earlier that day, to mark the first anniversary of his inauguration, President Yoon visited the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery and left a message saying, "Together with the great people, we will build a country of freedom and innovation that responsibly contributes to world peace and prosperity." On social media, he posted, "It has been a hectic year running to create a new nation for the people. I will continue to work focusing solely on the people."

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