(Unofficial Translation)

Let me begin the 53rd Cabinet Meeting.

For nearly two years, we have been fighting a war against COVID-19 and have come to this point. The end of the tunnel seems to be flickering and disappearing. Once we made it over one mountain, yet another stood in our way – crises have come one after another. However, we have successfully navigated countless critical junctures. This has been possible because the Government, the people and medical professionals have all pulled together.

Also on the economic front, all of the principal players have come together and surmounted crises. Our exports have hit all-time highs, and among the OECD member states, we have recorded the most impressive economic recovery. Even when we were in the heart of a crisis, we never stopped innovating and have been successful in transitioning into a pacesetting economy.

We have clawed our way to get this far, but yet another crisis has descended upon us. The numbers are all rising for confirmed COVID-19 cases, severely or critically ill patients and deaths. The Omicron variant has even emerged, plunging us into a very grave situation. This is the most critical juncture that we must overcome in order to return to normalcy while protecting people’s lives and safety. Just as we have done so far, however, we will be able to fully prevail as long as we come together. If we make all-out efforts with one mind to contain the spread of the virus as quickly as possible and stabilize the medical system, we will be able to keep marching down the path toward a return to normal life.

The next four weeks will be critically important. The Government will mobilize all available capabilities in the belief that the success of Korea’s response to COVID-19 depends upon the success of special anti-epidemic measures. Not only disease control authorities but also all other ministries and agencies should exert all their energy to ensure that special epidemic prevention measures are meticulously implemented on the ground. I urge everyone to expedite the securing of additional hospital beds and medical professionals and to work with all your heart – as if you were a patient or medical professional – so that those being treated at home can receive proper medical care during their recovery period. I also ask you to do everything you can to prevent more Omicron cases from entering the country and the virus from spreading domestically while devising effective countermeasures as soon as possible.

I ask for the public’s understanding concerning the Government’s unavoidable need to once more enhance epidemic prevention and control measures. In addition to complying with basic guidelines such as wearing face masks, I’d like our people to cooperate with the tightened official epidemic prevention rules, even though that might cause some inconvenience. Undoubtedly, vaccines offer the most effective anti-epidemic method of protecting each other from COVID-19. Recent breakthrough infections and the Omicron variant speak loudly for the importance of a booster shot. It’s fortunate that the vaccination of adolescents has been picking up pace recently and the administering of third shots has gone into full swing. I ask again for the people’s active participation in vaccination.

Our tightening of anti-epidemic measures has been driven by taking into account not only the need to thwart the spread of COVID-19 but also the hardships facing the self-employed. Complying with epidemic prevention rules is burdening people’s livelihoods. While focusing on stabilizing the anti-epidemic situation at the earliest date possible, the Government should actively look for ways – no matter how slight – to relieve their burdens. 

Worldwide, an increasing number of countries are sealing off borders, and uncertainties are growing in the global economy. While closely monitoring how the global economic situation is impacting our economy and financial market, the Government should fully prepare against any situation. In particular, I urge you to keep a close watch on global supply chains and redouble efforts to resolve the difficulties our businesses face with securing raw materials and logistics. Prices are rising significantly around the world, so we have to do everything we can to manage inflation. In particular, I ask you to concentrate on keeping living costs under control and do your utmost to ensure that grocery prices do not weigh down low-income households. 

Fortunately, the budget proposal for next year passed smoothly. By utilizing resources from increases in national tax revenue, we have been able to significantly increase funding for the customized support for microbusiness owners, epidemic prevention and medical services. We have also been able to improve fiscal soundness by reducing the issuance of government bonds. The funds budgeted for childcare and support for the vulnerable have been increased; the amount of state treasury assistance for issuing gift certificates for designated neighborhood markets has been greatly expanded; and funds to secure emergency supplies such as urea water and rare-earth elements have been added. I am grateful to the members of the National Assembly for meticulously deliberating the budget proposal. From this moment on, the role of the Government is crucial. I ask each ministry and agency to make thorough preparations henceforth so that the budget confirmed by the National Assembly can be disbursed immediately from this coming January.

Voice phishing and other new cybercrimes that exploit ordinary people who are suffering due to COVID-19 are increasing. Losses through account transfers –once common – have decreased. However, what are not decreasing are those from “face-to-face” swindles – where victims hand over cash to criminal rings that impersonate employees from financial entities or government agencies such as the Prosecution Service and the Financial Supervisory Service. Criminal schemes are also becoming more sophisticated, and the amount of damage is getting larger. These crimes against society drive ordinary people to the brink, and they must be eradicated. 

The Government must use this as an opportunity to quickly devise special measures to eradicate cybercrimes. In addition to expanding the relevant investigative units and strengthening cybercrime investigation capabilities, I ask you to establish a well-coordinated mechanism for cooperation among the investigators and the financial and telecommunication fields. In tandem with the creation of an integrated crime reporting system to promptly assist victims, I’d like you to upgrade the system that helps the public stay continuously informed of criminal methods and pre-empts damage.