(Unofficial translation) Presidents of regional Korean chambers of commerce and industry, business leaders at the forefront of the Korean economy, I am glad to meet you all. We asked you to this New Year event to thank you for your hard work and to hear what you expect from the Government. Again this year, I hope all b...

Jan 15, 2019

(Unofficial translation) This is the first meeting with senior secretaries in the New Year and the first convening of my so-called second team of Cheong Wa Dae secretaries. If my first team could be defined by innovations aimed at forging a framework for transitioning into an innovative, inclusive nation, this current ...

Jan 14, 2019

(Unofficial translation) Fellow Koreans, Around this time last year, I visited the Jincheon National Training Center to pray for the success of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. From the Opening Ceremony until the Closing Ceremony of the PyeongChang Games, Gangwon-do Province’s harsh cold weather was what kept the...

Jan 10, 2019

(Unofficial translation) Let me begin the year’s first Cabinet Meeting since the start of 2019. I wish you all abundant New Year blessings. I hope we all start the New Year off with a renewed determination. We are now facing a juncture when the Republic of Korea is structurally transitioning into an innovative, inclusi...

Jan 08, 2019

(Unofficial translation) Fellow Koreans, We have rung in the New Year amid unusually cold weather. There is a proverb that says, “Northerly winds blowing in the last months of the year bring a rich harvest.” The frigid weather seems to herald a bountiful harvest this year. Amidst this freezing cold, I wish all of y...

Jan 02, 2019

(Unofficial translation) Today, we are gathered to discuss the direction for next year’s economic policy. I hope this meeting will serve as a chance to look back at our economy and the people’s livelihood this past year and share next year’s economic policy direction and goals. This was the first year my Administration...

Dec 17, 2018

(Unofficial translation) New Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Hong Nam-ki joins the Cabinet Meeting today for the first time since taking office. He performed well as Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and I have high expectations for him as Deputy Prime Minister, too. Former Deputy P...

Dec 11, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Distinguished guests from home and abroad, Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I extend my deepest respect to all noble endeavors to protect and promote human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights began by reflecting on the Second World W...

Dec 10, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Fellow Koreans, distinguished members of international trading community, I wholeheartedly congratulate you on the 55th Trade Day. Seventy years ago, the first ROK-flagged cargo ship the Aengdohwan set sail for Hong Kong laden with exports of squid and agar. After that, we opened a path toward...

Dec 07, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Across the world, abnormal weather conditions and natural disasters have become a part of everyday life. The underside of global economic growth is marked by the dark shadows of global warming and environmental degradation, which loom large as a catastrophic menace to h...

Dec 01, 2018