Good morning, fellow Koreans,

Tomorrow is the harvest moon festival of Chuseok, one of the most important Korean traditional holidays. I assume that many people are heading for their hometowns by this time, and some of you may have already joined your families and are having breakfast.

This year’s Chuseok holidays are relatively short, and it is expected that traffic on the roads will be quite heavy. Even so, I hope all of you take your time and drive safely yielding to other drivers. I wish you all pleasant holidays.

No matter how snarled the traffic might be and even if we have to travel long distances, we Koreans are always happy to go to our hometowns. Our elderly parents and grandparents there must be busy preparing food while waiting for us impatiently, looking forward to seeing their children and grandchildren soon.

Just thinking about it makes my heart warm. Emotional bonds among family members and warm memories of hometowns always brighten our hearts and enliven our lives. More than anything else, I believe it is a great blessing to have a place to visit and people to meet on such big holidays every year. When you meet your relatives and friends again in your hometown, I hope you shake their hands vigorously and hug them passionately. It is good to get together with your whole family and catch up on family news eating half-moon-shaped rice cakes made of newly harvested rice.

Many of our neighbors, however, cannot visit their hometowns over the pleasant holidays for one reason or another. Those who came from North Korea have no way to get back home. In addition, soldiers, police, firefighters and medical staff in emergency rooms as well as workers on duty and students preparing for exams in libraries in order to get jobs cannot find time to visit their hometowns. I am truly sorry for all of you but I profoundly appreciate all your good efforts.

Some young people may have decided not to go home just because they have not found jobs yet and do not have the heart to see their parents. My heart aches, indeed, when I think about them. Even though there is good news that the country’s economy is gradually picking up, it seems it will take even more time until we see improvement in the employment situation. We should come together to make greater efforts so that all of us will be able to visit our hometowns carrying armloads of gifts next Chuseok holidays.

There is now some reason for great hope in the midst of these hardships. The Republic of Korea is overcoming the economic crisis faster than any other country and moving forward to emerge as a central player in the international community. Korea is scheduled to host the G20 Summit in November next year. The hosting of the summit is expected to serve as a crucial catalyst for enhancing the country’s international standing and upgrading its prestige.

The Government is also faithfully carrying out the policies aimed at providing help for low-income families as well as building up the middle class. Policies for low-income households include offering them inexpensive housing units and the microcredit program featuring low-interest loans. The student loan program provides that borrowers may pay back from their own earnings after graduation. All these policies empower underprivileged citizens to plan for a better future brimming with hope.

The nation is likely to see hardships continue through the first half of next year. Therefore, the Government intends to maintain intern programs for young workers as well as Project Hope, a special jobs program, even though the budgets may decrease somewhat. The welfare budget for 2010 will be expanded to 81 trillion won, the highest ever. It will benefit individuals in need the most so that they would not feel alienated from society. In this way, the Government will help build a warm and happy community for everyone.

If you are riding in a car now, how is the scenery like outside? The mountains and rivers of our country are always beautiful, but I like this particular time of year the best.

Unfortunately this year, all the countries close to Korea have suffered major disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. So far, Korea is the only country in the region that has been spared from a major natural disaster. What is more, the nation is reaping unprecedented bumper crops. I feel immensely grateful and fortunate for this.

The downside is that the rice price is falling, causing farmers to worry. However, the Government will strive to relieve their apprehensions by taking proper measures, including expansion of direct grain purchases.

Fundamentally, the nation needs to increase consumption of rice. Wouldn’t it be great if we ate more rice than flour that is being imported 100 percent? It is a good way to help the national economy as well as the health of our citizens. As a means of helping increase the consumption of rice, Cheong Wa Dae is using newly harvested rice and rice noodles as Chuseok presents. I also encourage acquaintances to use farm products as holiday gifts. I know they are following my suggestions.

Traditional markets are issuing gift certificates that can be used at any traditional market around the country. You can buy them in Seoul and use them in your hometown as well. There are times I paid for a purchase with a gift certificate. It was convenient and the merchants loved it.

Today, I am going to meet with some workers in small businesses who cannot visit their folks in the country because they have to work. It is sad that they have to work during the holidays. But it is good news that some businesses have heavy orders to fill during the recession. Today I will be working myself, but tomorrow I plan to make half-moon-shaped rice cakes with my grandchildren at home and take a good rest.

According to the weather forecast, we may be able to enjoy a full Chuseok moon. I wish you and your family peaceful, happy holidays.

Thank you very much.