Yoon calls for correcting evils hindering economic growth

Jan 03, 2023, 06:25 am

		0
President Yoon Suk-yeol gives a meeting for the new year at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 2, 2023./ Source: Yonhap

AsiaToday reporter Lee Wook-jae

President Yoon Suk-yeol on Monday called for swiftly correcting the “evils” hindering economic growth and development and accelerating normalization while prioritizing the public issues.

Yoon made the remarks at a meeting for the new year held at Cheong Wa Dae while reaffirming his resolve for running state affairs in the new year. The meeting was attended by some 200 top officials from across the executive, legislative and judicial sectors, including National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Prime Minister Han Duk-soo, Constitutional Court of Korea President Yoo Nam-seok, National Election Commission Chairperson Rho Tae-ak, ruling People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young, minor progressive Justice Party Lee Jeong-mi and presidential staff.

“There will be many crises and challenges in the new year, but we will further strengthen the foundation of freedom, solidarity, human rights and the rule of law,” he said.

“The weakening grip of the World Trade Organization, intensifying competition for technological hegemony, and geopolitical conflicts are accelerating the trend of economies forming blocs, so the role of the government has become more important than ever,” Yoon said. “We will take good care of the government’s support in the fields of diplomacy, trade, and science and technology while maintaining a market-oriented stance led by the private sector.”

“In particular, solidarity with the international community based on universal values will protect our constitutional values and the national interest, and will give us more opportunities economically,” he added.

“We must adhere to the law and principles without wavering,” he said. “The top three reforms in labor, education, and pensions are difficult and tough, but it is a path we must follow without fail, and the people have commanded us to do so,” he added.

“If we are easily defeated by the resistance of the establishment, our sustainable prosperity will be threatened,” the president said. “We witnessed many times in world history that crises turned into opportunities that lead prosperity and leap through the will to take on challenges and innovative capabilities. I ask everyone to gather their strength and help.”

#Yoon Suk-yeol #New Year