President Wen, New Year’s Address, Expressing Will to Recover Economics… Emphasis on the’last’ efforts for the great transformation of the Korean Peninsula
[아시아경제 류정민 기자] “Our economy is the highest growth rate among OECD (Economic Cooperation and Development Organization) countries last year, and per capita national income is also predicted to surpass the G7 (7 major countries) for the first time ever.”
The New Year’s address, announced by President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House on the 11th, focuses on the fact that Korea achieved’economic savings’ in the crisis of’new coronavirus infection (Corona 19)’. This is a reflection of the expectation that it can amplify economic performance this year following the momentum last year.
In particular, President Moon focused on the rosy outlook, saying, “It recorded the highest share price increase rate among the G20 countries, and the future outlook for the Korean economy is bright even in the midst of a crisis.”
[이미지출처=연합뉴스]
As President Moon mentioned in his New Year’s speech, even if the national economy improves, it will take a considerable amount of time to recover employment and recover damage to small business owners and self-employed people. Even if the corona19 vaccination starts as scheduled from February, there is a long way to go to the entire national vaccination. It is also a point to see how Korea properly overcomes risks and whether foreign countries’ improvement in the Corona 19 situation will affect each other.
What should be noted in President Moon’s New Year’s address is that it emphasized the restoration of livelihoods and expansion of the social safety net at the same time. He announced the plan to overcome the corona 19 crisis based on the social safety net, such as the third disaster support payment, implementation of the national employment support system, and expansion of employment insurance to specially employed workers. In addition to traditional flagship industries such as automobiles and shipbuilding, he also emphasized the importance of investing in research and development (R&D) to revitalize three new businesses such as system semiconductors, future vehicles, and biohealth.
President Moon’s mention of’soft power’ as a catalyst for a leap forward in a leading country is also a point of interest. While highlighting the achievements of the idol group BTS and the movie’Parasite’, he introduced the achievements of athletes such as Son Heung-min, Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Ko Jin-young. An official at the Blue House explained, “It is the first time that President Moon’s New Year’s address contains information related to sportsmen.”
Inter-Korean relations did not include content with impact such as last year’s proposal for a “return to” North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, President Moon pledged his final efforts for the great transformation of the Korean Peninsula, saying, “The Korean Peninsula of peace without war and nuclear weapons is our duty to pass on to the people and descendants.” This is a point to note, in line with the ruling party’s prospects that it will push for a return to Chairman Kim this year.
In addition, President Moon reaffirmed his willingness to pursue key national tasks such as the 2050 carbon neutrality and the Korean version of the New Deal. President Moon pledged, “We will promptly promote key legislation in the 10 areas of the New Deal, such as digital economy transformation, climate crisis response, and balanced regional development, and strengthen communication and cooperation with companies.”
The value of’fairness’, which President Moon used as a keyword for the inauguration of the government, appeared in the 2021 New Year’s address, preparing for the fifth year in office. Regarding the reform of power institutions, President Moon said, “As it is a change of institutions and practices that have been formed over a long period of time, it is true that there are many difficulties and conflicting elements before establishing themselves in the field.” said.
Reporter Ryu Jung-min [email protected]