(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

(Unofficial translation)Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am glad to see you all. The G20 Summit was launched in the wake of the global financial crisis a decade ago. At the inaugural summit, the participating leaders agreed on five principles to reform financial markets and also established the principles of multi...

Nov 30, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.“People come first” is my political slogan and longstanding philosophy. I am very pleased to see the G20 Summit adopting “Putting People First” as a core message. The Republic of Korea achieved rapid growth that surprised the world, but it now shares the same concerns as...

Nov 30, 2018

(Unofficial translation) Today is the day we have been very much looking forward to. I am very pleased that the Economic, Social and Labor Council has finally been launched. There have been many discussions and difficulties leading up to its inauguration. I am deeply grateful to Chairman Moon Sung-hyun for his persist...

Nov 22, 2018