(Unofficial Translation)

Honorable President Biden,
Your Excellencies,  

I would like to express my special solidarity with and respect for my fellow leaders, who are working very hard for a return to normal. Although the new Omicron variant is spreading, we will surely surmount the COVID-19 crisis together. As always, the strongest power we have in overcoming crises is our collective intelligence – democracy.

Democracy did not stop at fighting authoritarianism. It enabled humanity to prosper with the power of freedom and creativity. Democracy is, even now, expanding in a manner that helps people live life to the fullest as humans. 

However, today, democracy is being threatened from within. Some say that democracy is in crisis. In many parts of the world, we are seeing COVID-19 control measures and vaccination programs clash with the freedom of individuals. Fake news, traveling fast through new forms of digital media and social networking services, is spreading hatred, populism and extremism and even inciting people to refuse to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, we still have not found appropriate measures to deter these acts because they might collide with a democratic value – freedom of expression. 

Widening disparities and worsening inequalities, caused by free competition, is hampering social unity and endangering democracy. As we face serious challenges – infectious diseases, the climate crisis, globalization and social polarization – it is time for us to mull over how to defend and advance democracy and find solutions.

 

I would like to share some of my thoughts as suggestions.  

First, the freedom of individuals and freedom of expression must be firmly guaranteed, but in harmony with “freedom for all.” 

As Korea fights COVID-19, vaccinates people and returns to normal, we intend to prove that a genuine freedom is one enjoyed together with neighbors. While guaranteeing freedom of expression, we need to boost our ability to purify ourselves to save democracy from fake news.

Korea shares the cause of the International Fund for Public Interest Media and will join the efforts to protect media independence around the world. I hope that we will also work to fight fake news through fact-checking and investigative reportage. 

Second, we must minimize COVID-19 disparities and recover together.

Through expansionary fiscal policy, Korea is helping those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and doing everything we can for job retention and sharing. We will also expand our cooperative development programs to build up the capacity of women in developing countries along with our national efforts to promote human rights.

Third, there is no bigger enemy to democracy than corruption.

The power of democracy emanates from people’s trust in transparency and fairness. Korea is making progress in combating corruption by introducing the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, the Conflict-of-Interest Prevention Act and a system to protect whistleblowers. We will share our anti-corruption policies with the international community and our globally recognized E-government system with developing countries to promote government innovation and improve transparency.

 
Your Excellencies,  

Korea is an exemplary testament to the value of democracy. Although having lived through colonial rule and a war, we have grown while complying with international free trade norms and become the first developing country to ascend to the ranks of advanced economies in tandem with progress in democracy.

Every time authoritarianism suppressed the Korean people, they protected democracy and moved it forward through peaceful civil revolutions. Korea will build on this experience and contribute to global democracy.

Democracy has never stopped, not even for a second. Rather, it is renewed again and again.  

Thank you.