(Unofficial Translation)

Here with us today for presentations and discussions are three outside experts – President Hong Jang-pyo of the Korea Development Institute, Economics Professor Oh Jun-byoung of Inha University and Researcher Kim Yun-jeong of the Korea Legislation Research Institute. Thank you for joining us. Please give them a round of applause and warm welcome.

The presidential election last week revealed many conflicts in an unprecedentedly tight race, and the winner was determined by the narrowest-ever margin of votes. Some may feel disappointment over the election process or results, but the Republic of Korea is becoming one again now that the election is over. My Administration will continue to cooperate so that the incoming administration can get off to a solid start with no gaps in state affairs.

Above all, now is the time to promote unity. Our most urgent task is to reconcile, assuage and bring together the divided public sentiment, which was starkly evident in the election process and results. Although the next administration will be facing once more an opposition party in the majority, I believe the public is demanding a politics of unity and cooperation in such a balance, which is in the spirit of the times.

In particular, we need to face up to the cold reality before us. Being confronted with new threats and strong challenges both at home and abroad, this is a very grave time for our country. We won’t be able to overcome challenges and navigate through the difficulties unless the people’s energies are brought together as one. Achieving unity is a very urgent task to take us toward a better future as well as toward a more mature society of respect, consideration and inclusiveness. Our politics and society seem to have been plagued by frequent conflicts and commotions, but this has served as a driving force to move forward without becoming complacent. It is also attributable to the ability of our people, who have always managed to come together and join forces whenever the going gets tough. I believe that now – after the hard-fought election in which countless conflicts and intense loathing have been displayed – is the very time to move toward the politics of unity and inclusiveness.

All government ministries and agencies will also have to fulfill their responsibilities until the very last moment of my term.

First, we may be currently crossing over or are expected to be past the peak of Omicron soon. However, even if we are past the peak of this pandemic, the slowing of its spread may be gradual. In addition, the number of severely or critically ill patients and deaths may continue to rise with the accumulated number of confirmed cases. I urge you to make all-out efforts to stabilize our medical response, including the bed occupancy rate.

Second, the situation on the Korean Peninsula is getting more serious while the international circumstances are becoming more urgent. A newly-forming Cold War structure could further escalate tensions on the Peninsula and make the conditions for inter-Korean dialogue difficult. While firmly maintaining our security posture, we will do everything we can until the end of my term to manage the situation on the Peninsula in a steady and peaceful manner. Imperiling peace is not beneficial to either South or North Korea. Both Korean governments should continue to maintain their commitment and efforts for dialogue. I call upon North Korea to stop taking actions that stoke a crisis and move along the path of dialogue and diplomacy before the situation worsens.

Third, the threat of inflation is growing further across the world as the international situation drives up energy prices. We must do everything possible to manage prices so that they do not add difficulties to our economy and the people’s livelihoods.

Fourth, the global economic order is also changing rapidly. State-centered nationalism is growing stronger, and each country is going all out to compete for technological supremacy and secure supply chains. It is also a period of great transformation that accelerates the move toward digital transition and carbon neutrality. We will respond with extraordinary determination till the end of my term, marshaling our national capabilities to emerge as a pacesetting nation and ensure our economic security.

Last, I would like to express my sympathy once more to many the displaced victims and local residents who suffered from the wildfires in the Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon-do regions. The Government will do all it can to help them quickly recover from damage and return to normal. I am deeply grateful for the hard work of the relevant organizations deployed in containing the wildfires, such as the Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency, the military, the police, the Cultural Heritage Administration, the Korea National Park Service and local governments. I also extend my deep appreciation for the donations and selfless service of volunteers to assist the victims.