Good morning, fellow Koreans,

By the time you listen to this broadcast, I will be on a plane returning home after pulling off a big achievement in the United Arab Emirates.

It has been about 40 years since the Republic of Korea began to construct nuclear power plants. Thus far, we have tried to make an advance into overseas nuclear power plant markets scores of times but to no avail. For the first time in the country’s history, Korea is finally paving the way for exporting nuclear power plants after winning the fierce competition with advanced nations.

All this can be said to be attributable to efforts made by both the Government and businesses, but it surely was also possible thanks to the country’s good fortune. I am more than happy to be able to share this gratifying news with all Koreans at the end of the year.

Today, I would like to present year-end interviews with people from all walks of life.

<RECORDING, Kim Geun-sik, a sanitation worker> I am Kim Geum-sik, working as a street cleaner for the Dongdaemun-gu Ward Office. After work, I am usually dead tired from the hard manual labor, and I reek of sweat and garbage, but I always feel rewarded and proud to see citizens walking by on carefully swept, pleasant streets.

<RECORDING, Hwang Ung-jae, a member of 119 international rescue team of Korea> I am Hwang Ung-jae, a member of the 119 international rescue team of Korea. I have participated in international rescue activities in Southeast Asia responding to earthquakes, tsunami and airplane crashes. More than anything else, I truly felt that the international rescue service is the most effective way to safeguard the lives and safety of people anywhere around the world, and at the same time, to gain respect from the international community.

<RECORDING, Bong Yu-jong, a police officer> I am Bong Yu-jong, a police officer serving in the Anyang precinct of the Anyang Police Station. Throughout the year, we have tried to become reliable and caring officers protecting the public safety and allowing people to have hope. We will continue to strive hard next year to maintain impeccable public security so that people will be able to live comfortably.

<RECORDING, Kang Seung-won, a World Friends Korea Volunteer> I am Kang Seung-won, and I just returned from Morocco after performing volunteer service. Serving as a young volunteer abroad gave me a great feeling of reward and a sense of self-confidence. Among other things, it was an invaluable experience for me to appreciate Korea’s international standing and value and to gain pride and self-esteem in the fact that I am a citizen of the Republic of Korea. 

<RECORDING, First Sergeant Park Cheol, Dongmyeong Unit> Hello everyone. I am First Sergeant Park Cheol from the Dongmyeong Unit. I will continue to demonstrate the true image of a strong ROK soldier by fulfilling my responsibilities and duties as a member of a peacekeeping force with pride in representing the Republic of Korea. I wish you all a happy New Year. Present arms!

As I listen to them, I always feel reassured and relieved because all our citizens are carrying out their tasks to the best of their abilities in their positions.

I am grateful to you all who are faithfully doing your parts in your neighborhoods as well as in such distant countries as Somalia, Lebanon, Indonesia and Morocco.

I assume that many people must have been deeply moved by a story reported by the media a few days ago about a father and his son who deserves to be held in esteem as a role model of a genuine soldier. The father was a civilian worker in the military and was dying of cancer, but in his will he said that his son, Staff Sergeant Lee Hwan-wook, should not be informed of his death so that he can unwaveringly fulfill his obligation as a soldier. The son heard the news of his father’s death on board a warship heading for Somalia in the Indian Ocean, but he is still carrying out his duty following his father’s will even though he was advised by his commander that he could return home immediately.

This story of dedication to peace and security for all going beyond one’s sorrow and family welfare makes us think again about what genuine love, courage and patriotism mean.

Here is yet another beautiful story that I would like to share with you. A few days ago, I invited families who have practiced the spirit of sharing and volunteering to a Cheong Wa Dae luncheon. At the meeting, I heard a story from Ms. Kim Su-ja.

She said she was selling dried seaweed rolls in Hwajeong-dong, Gwangju city. Having had to move more than twenty or thirty times since she got married, she really wanted to buy a small public tract house. She determined that she would willingly help others for the rest of her life if she could realize that dream.

In 1995, she finally took out a loan and bought a house. The first thing she did after buying her own home was to sign an organ donation card. She has also kept donating 700,000 won out of her monthly income of a million won.

People like her who make good on their promises and translate the spirit of sharing and volunteering into action to help less fortunate neighbors are the heroes and heroines of our society. Let’s applaud them once again.

<RECORDING, Lee Se-yun, a microcredit loan borrower> I am Lee Se-yun, and I am running a small snack bar in Gimpo city. I am a mother of two and am living with four generations of my husband’s family. Since my husband had a traffic accident, I have been the sole breadwinner for my household. Without any regular income, my family suffered a lot from poverty. But I was able to take out an unsecured loan of 20 million won from a microcredit bank and opened this snack bar. The business is doing very well now, and I am very happy that I can work.

<RECORDING, Lee Myung-ja, a merchant at the Guri Market> I am retailing in Guri market in Gyeonggi-do. Because of the economic downturn and influence of supermarkets and super supermarkets, business has been all the slower this year. Thanks to the government concern for traditional markets, however, we could weather tough moments. Among other things, the traditional market voucher is of help, though whether it would do any good was suspected in the beginning. Fortunately, an increasing number of people are using the vouchers.

<RECORDING, Jeon Young-hui, a worker> I am working at Shinchang Electronics. This year was truly challenging because of the global economic crisis. However, both management and labor made concessions to cope with all the difficulties, thus all employees could continue working. I hope my company will perform better next year and be able to recruit new employees, which will help give it new energy. I also hope our salaries will rise a bit.

I hope so, too.

My fellow citizens,

This year was truly daunting. Still, we did not lose hope and did our best. By announcing the initiative to put the Government into an emergency economic rescue mode early this year, the Government also did its utmost to surmount the economic crisis and brace for the future. However, not everything has been satisfactory.

I reckon that it is premature to take an optimistic view of the economic rebound. Until ordinary citizens feel the warm breeze of economic recovery, which won’t be until at least sometime in the first half of next year, the emergency rescue mode will be maintained. My Administration will redouble efforts to make sure that the nation will fare a bit better than this year.

<RECORDING, Lee Eun-young, a job seeker> Hi! I am a senior at Seoul Women’s University majoring in Communications and Media. I will graduate in February next year. I really worked hard to gain a good command of English and obtained various certificates in order to land a job. However, I am still very worried about getting a job.

<RECORDING, Cho Hyun-tae, a college student-to-be> I am in the third year at Daeseong High School in Wonju, Gangwon-do. I was able to be admitted to the Pohang University of Science and Technology thanks to the admission officer system. Since my parents were ill, I could not afford private tutoring. I am truly delighted that anyone can enter a prestigious university if they work hard, no matter how poor they are. I hope this system will be further expanded.

<RECORDING, Yu Jin-hwa, an immigrant bride> I am an immigrant bride from China. I have been living in Korea for six years. There are many immigrant brides around me. Still, there remain discriminatory acts and negative perceptions towards us and our children. It really hurts all the time.

<RECORDING, Yu Seon-mi, a mother of three> I am a homemaker living in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do with three children. Nowadays, I have hope, instead of anxiety, thanks to the Government policies for low-income families. In the coming year, I hope all low-income individuals will be able to go without any worries about money for childcare and education and will have hope like I do. Thus, an increasing number of people will be able to get married, have many children and build a happy home.

I also understand that the issues of employment and education, including private education, should receive top priority next year. In the coming year, the Government will channel all its efforts into creating new job opportunities. When it comes to education, we will take a very thoroughgoing and considered approach in a bid to come up with a far-sighted master plan.

With regard to the admission officer system that went into full gear starting this year, I am well aware of the fact that there are mixed reactions among students and parents. Taking into consideration these concerns, we will strive to further improve the system, thus enabling it to function as it was supposed to do and to take root by winning public confidence. If that happens, I believe, Mrs. Yu Seon-mi would be able to find greater delight and satisfaction in raising her three children.

As the immigrant bride pointed out, we all have to make efforts to understand other people and put ourselves in their shoes. Only then will we be able to be rightly called men and women of good character, and only then will the nation’s status be elevated.

Lastly, I want to touch upon my impressions of this year.

As it gets colder, when I wake up in the morning, I worry about the difficulties facing those who use briquettes to heat their home. I also cannot help but think of street vendors who sell hot soup thinking that their business could prosper in this cold even though they suffer a lot. These thoughts well epitomize how I am doing at the approaching end of the year.

Over the past year, I made great endeavors to ensure that all Koreans would be able to get a more optimistic and bright impression from me. Inwardly, however, it was a different story. This year has been truly demanding, which weighed extremely heavy on me. Even at this moment, I vividly recall suffocating and highly nerve-wracking moments. In the global economy, there are still many factors that could add to its volatility. Given this situation, it is too early to let our guard down.

Thanks to the efforts of all citizens, it is now projected that Korea will be able to achieve five percent economic growth next year. To this end, the briefings by ministries and agencies on their undertakings next year are being carried out with the aim of completing them before the end of the year. In preparation for the possible passage of next year’s budget in the National Assembly, the Government is ready to immediately execute the budget starting the very first day of 2010. I have confidence in the National Assembly. I expect the budget bill to be approved without fail before the end of this year.

As I mentioned at the beginning, good fortune draws close to our nation at the end of the year. I am convinced that Korea’s fortunes will be greatly enhanced next year. It is certainly the result of each and every one of you joining forces and making great efforts. I hope we will be able to walk vigorously with hope in the dawning New Year.

My fellow citizens,

You all really worked hard and did a great job all throughout the year. I wish you a wonderful New Year filled with everlasting luck.

Thank you very much.