Good morning, my fellow Koreans,

I have just arrived in Sweden, the last leg of my visit to European countries.

One goal of the visit this time was to take part in the expanded G8 summit held in Italy and to engage in discussions on issues concerning trade, climate change and the food crisis together with other participating leaders. However, the overriding objective was to conclude the Korea-EU FTA by holding meetings with European leaders.

It was fortunate that Korea and the European Union could reach an agreement on the FTA, which has been a long-pending issue due to objections by some countries. At the summit with the Swedish Prime Minister tomorrow, we will be able to confirm what has been agreed upon on the FTA and to announce the finalization of the negotiations. Sweden is currently holding the EU presidency.

The Korea-EU FTA would bring about epoch-making changes in our country’s trade compared to any other FTA as the deal is to be struck with 27 European countries at the same time.

It is the second time for the Republic to be invited to the expanded G8 summit following the first last year. First of all, I would like to inform you all of the great achievements made at the summit. I would like to extend my appreciation to the working-level officials for their great preparations before the summit. In addition, the successful outcome is also attributable to the support of all of you, my fellow citizens.

On top of this, together with Brazil and the United Kingdom, Korea has become a member of G20 Troika that chairs the G20 over a three-year period, beginning last year. This is the result of the undivided endeavors made following the launch of the new Administration. At a time when global collaboration was needed to ride out the global crisis, the Republic has been playing great roles and setting an example as to how best to overcome the economic crisis.

At the summit held in L''Aquila, Italy, participating leaders attached importance to the views put forth by Korea and agreed to its proposals. It was a great chance to reaffirm the international community’s greatly heightened confidence in Korea. Together with you, my fellow Koreans, I feel very proud about that. 

Notwithstanding, we cannot afford to let our guard down since both the expanded G8 summit and G20 Financial Summit are not permanent bodies. They have been convened with the participation of select major countries to discuss various global issues. But debates are underway on the ideal formation of the two mechanisms. Accordingly, depending on how well Korea fulfills its roles, the nation will be able to participate in the summit voicing it views and concerns, or it could be left out of it at anytime.

On the occasion of the participation in the expanded summit this time, I came to spend much time deliberating over what Korea has to do. Together with working-level officials, we have so far made great efforts in securing the international community’s confidence in the nation and in making necessary contributions to the other countries.

When it comes to trade, the Korean Government has persistently opposed protectionist moves. Taking this fact into account, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the chair of the summit, requested that I make opening remarks. Once again, I stressed the fact that curbing protectionist measures and reinvigorating global trade were instrumental in overcoming the current economic crisis. To this end, I urged the participating leaders to step forward and take swift actions. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and President of the European Commission Manuel Barroso expressed their utmost support for my proposal, which was adopted in the agreement.

As all of you are well aware, climate change constitutes a task that requires the joint endeavors of the global community without any further delay. However, the differences of opinions between advanced countries and newly emerging economies, including China and India, still remain unabated. In order to address this problem particularly, I put forward a proposal to set up a working group to take concrete measures. The cochair of the summit, U.S. President Barack Obama, accepted the proposal on the spot, saying that it was a very effective and practical suggestion.

In particular, Korea has had the honor of being chosen as a leading nation in the development of the smart grid, the intelligent electricity distribution network. The power network represents a transformational technology in coping with climate change.

The participating countries came to a consensus that it is incumbent on the world not to allow global temperature to rise more than 2 degrees Celsius on average compared with the level during the pre-industrial period. There is an expert report that a 2-degree rise in temperature would wipe out 15 percent of all animal and plant species on earth. What is even more serious is the fact that the earth would never be able to recover if it reaches that stage.

The nations of the world have now begun to take concrete action to reduce greenhouse gases.

It is a good thing that the conferees placed high expectations on the role Korea will play in ameliorating climate change. They recognize that the Korean Government is taking exemplary preemptive measures by adopting “low-carbon, green growth” as a priority national task.

It is time for Korean industries and citizens to act responsibly on the issue of climate change and make concrete preparations. If the businesses do not take preemptive measures, they will not be able to survive in this new age. Korean citizens need to adopt a low-carbon lifestyle in general consumption and in dealing with transportation, housing, clothing and food. This will not be easy, but we do not have any other alternative.

The Republic needs to set a 2020 goal for cutting down greenhouse gases without delay. As soon as I return home, I will work diligently to gather public opinion on this issue with the aim of setting the goal by the end of the year.

Participants in the conference agreed that just giving food to the needy would not fundamentally solve food shortages. They emphasized the need to build an agricultural infrastructure for the needy and teach them how to utilize technology and solve water problems. It dawned on me that North Korea, which is suffering from chronic food shortages, also would be able to take advantage of such a program.

On the issue involving food shortages, the conferees gave keen attention to Korea’s experience. U.S. President Obama gave a high evaluation to the progress Korea made, saying what is more important than the giving nations’ efforts is the receiving nations’ sound governance.

I stressed the fact that industrialized countries have the responsibility and duty to solve the global food shortage problem as all people have the basic right to be fed. I also pledged the Korean Government’s active role, drawing on its own experience, as the country was able to solve the problem of hunger with foreign food aid in the 1950s and 1960s.

Fellow citizens,

Korea’s assumption of the chairmanship of the G20 next year will give the Republic a good opportunity to heighten its reputation globally. In just a little over one year’s time, the international community’s trust in Korea has been deepened remarkably. It also means that our responsibility has increased that much.

We have to work harder as a nation to heighten the prestige of our country. We have to get thoroughly prepared to bolster our national interest. I ask for your keen interest and support in this regard.

I am confident that today’s Korea-Sweden summit talks will be a great success. After that, I am heading back home. I will see you in Seoul tomorrow.

Thank you very much.