Yoon: "To Reform, We Must Fight the Cartel... Will Definitely Break Up the Cliques"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 1st, "True reform for the people is impossible without fighting against corrupt factional cartels," adding, "We will definitely dismantle factional cartels based on their own vested interests and ideologies." He referred to eradicating corruption and illegality such as monopolistic harms in specific industries as part of the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions.

On the same day, President Yoon delivered the '2024 New Year's Address' at the Yongsan Presidential Office, saying, "We will not be a government that only reviews issues but a government that takes action to solve problems."

On the morning of January 1st, the first day of the new year, a citizen is watching President Yoon Suk-yeol's 2024 New Year's address broadcast in the waiting room of Seoul Station.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

In particular, President Yoon mentioned the dismantling of vested interest cartels and the misuse of government subsidies, which the government has consistently pursued since its inception, stating, "This year as well, we will continue efforts to expand the freedom of the people, improve welfare, and create a fair society." He added, "We will ensure that all citizens enjoy fair opportunities," and requested, "Please watch the government's reform efforts throughout the year and offer your interest and encouragement."

Based on this, he expressed his determination to focus on advancing the three major reforms. Regarding labor reform, he said, "Through labor reform, we will support growth and job creation," emphasizing, "The starting point of labor reform is the rule of law in labor relations." The policy is to firmly guarantee labor movements within the legal framework while strictly responding to illegal acts regardless of whether they involve labor or management.

He also mentioned labor market flexibility. President Yoon explained, "A flexible labor market increases corporate investment and creates more jobs," adding, "As a result, workers can enjoy richer employment opportunities and better treatment." He emphasized, "We will change the wage system to focus on job content and performance rather than seniority and improve the dual structure of the labor market."

Regarding education reform, he said, "It is about nurturing talents who will lead our future and enhancing the competitiveness of future generations." President Yoon elaborated, "We will ensure that children can be safely entrusted from morning till evening at elementary schools, reducing the childcare and private education burdens on parents, while children will enjoy fun and diverse educational programs."

On pension reform pursued by the Yoon administration, he evaluated, "No government has touched this issue and it has been neglected," adding, "Through thorough scientific actuarial analysis, public opinion surveys, and in-depth interviews, we collected and organized vast data and submitted it to the National Assembly at the end of last October." He further stated, "The government will actively participate in the National Assembly's public discussion process going forward and do its best to reach a national consensus."

Additionally, he repeatedly pointed out the low birthrate issue. President Yoon said, "Since time is running out, a different level of approach is needed regarding the causes and measures for Korea's low birthrate," and mentioned, "We must coldly identify the causes of the low birthrate and find effective measures."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.