Moon vows stronger education, prosecution reform to promote fairness

Oct 23, 2019, 09:10 am

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President Moon Jae-in gives a speech at the National Assembly on Oct. 22, 2019./ Source: Yonhap News

By AsiaToday reporter Lee Seok-jong

President Moon Jae-in stressed the importance of promoting fairness as the keynote for the second half of his term in a policy speech before the National Assembly on Tuesday. The president expressed his strong will to return to the initial stance of the national keynote that focused on ‘equal opportunities, fair process, and righteous results’. He was apparently referring to months of social division over his nomination of Cho Kuk as justice minister.

“I believe that a country where everyone can prosper is the path we must take by promoting innovation, tolerance, fairness and a peace economy,” Moon said.

“Fairness is the foundation that enables innovation, tolerance and peace,” he said. “Fairness should be newly established not just on economy, but also on society, education and cultural front.”

“I came to realize once again the people’s desire for fairness and reform,” Moon said. “Deeply honoring the people’s demand, I will strongly push ahead with reform for fairness.”

In relation to reform of the prosecution, he said that what all people agree recently amid different opinions is that the reform of the prosecution is urgent. “I will not stop pushing for the reform until the prosecution is no longer judged as an authority with absolute power but an institution for the people.”

To this end, Moon urged the National Assembly to take “the most important role” in prosecutorial reform. “I urge (the parliament) to quickly process bills related to prosecutorial reform such as the bill to create a public official investigation agency dedicated to investigating corruption among high-ranking officials and modification of investigative rights,” Moon said.

In relation to education reform, Moon cited unfairness in education as “the most heartbreaking thing” for ordinary people and vowed to overhaul the college entrance exam system to raise the proportion of regular admissions, which focus more on applicants’ academic grades than non-school activities.

Moon also asked lawmakers to pass pending bills, such as a bill to supplement flexible work hour system, at an early date. “In order to address complicated national issues, I hope a tripartite consultative body will be operated as planned, and that the ruling and opposition parties will engage in meetings to restore political cooperation, so that the 20th National Assembly brings a successful conclusion.”

Moon urged the parliament to wrap up pending bills promptly and process next year’s budget bill as well as revised tax bill before the legal deadline. “I hope that a nation where all people can prosper and a strong economy that no one can shake can be realized at the National Assembly,” the president said.

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