President Moon Jae-in (right) looks around the Saemangeum, an area of reclaimed land in Jeollabuk-do Province, along with Lee Byoung-gook, administrator of the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency, while flying over the Yellow Sea in a helicopter on May 31.

By Yoon Sojung
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

“I will transform this country into a decent one that puts the lives and safety of its people first and foremost in all matters.”

So said President Moon Jae-in, speaking during a ceremony to mark the 22nd anniversary of the Day of the Seas, at the Saemangeum Land Reclamation Site in Jeollabuk-do Province on May 31.

Safety was the most important thing that President Moon emphasized in his congratulatory speech.

President Moon said, “Now is the time for Korea to prepare for a leap ahead in the marine and ocean sectors.”

“Before doing so, however, we have a task that we must complete, and that is the issue of the Sewol ferry and the pain that still haunts the hearts of the people,” said the president.

“Such a maritime disaster should never happen again,” he said.

"It is of utmost importance that we deal with this issue in order to rebuild our maritime sectors to make them safe and secure," said the president.

“Starting with a deep reflection on the tragic sinking of the Sewol, I will transform our country and make it a better one that puts the lives and safety of the people first, above all else.”

President Moon Jae-in (second from right) applauds with other dignitaries during a ceremony to mark the 22nd anniversary of the Day of the Seas, at the Saemangeum Land Reclamation Site in Jeollabuk-do Province on May 31.

Security was the second item that President Moon highlighted, after safety.

“We are pledged to protect all aspects of our maritime security,” said the president.

“Our new government will consolidate its foundation as a maritime leader, backed by its strong ocean-going economic sectors and its naval and coast guard security capabilities,” he said.

“On the high seas, we must bolster our security and strengthen the economy,” he said.

President Moon vowed to make bold investments in order to improve Korea`s maritime prowess.

“We will increase spending on maritime R&D capabilities, including on vessels and workforce, so that we can even manage our affairs in the polar regions and in the deep ocean,” he said.

“We will expand maritime R&D, which is estimated at only 3 percent of the country’s total GDP, to levels that are more common in advanced countries,” said the president.

“We will also create more jobs in new future-oriented industries, such as new renewable energy sources and maritime bio industries, and learn the answers for the fourth industrial revolution,” he added.

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