Good morning, fellow Koreans,

Earlier this year, Cheong Wa Dae held online contests to encourage the public to post their “Letters to the President” on its website. This event was designed so that I could listen directly to the voice of the people about their needs and concerns.

During the contest that lasted a month and half, more than 2,000 letters were posted on the website. Many of the postings described problems pertaining to employment, education and other bread and butter issues. When I read those heart-wrenching stories, my heart ached too. My heart leaped with joy when I read letters from people talking about their hopes even in the face of difficulties. I pledge once again that my administration will redouble its efforts to take care of those who are less fortunate and wipe away the tears from their eyes.

<RECORDING, letter from Kim Byung-ok, a sanitation worker> “I am Kim Byung-ok, and I have been working as a street cleaner for 15 years. Born into a poor family, I was only able to finish middle school and had to start earning a living. There was practically nothing that I didn’t do to make money. Eventually, I ended up gambling and incurred huge debts. I attempted suicide, but fortunately, I survived. After that, I decided to work hard to repay my debts with a do-or-die resolution. Around that time, I came across your life story, Mr. President, that you had put yourself through college by working as a street cleaner. Your story filled me with great hope. Taking a cue from you, I took classes from the Air and Correspondence High School while working and finally got my high school diploma. I am married now with three children, and am attending Dong-Pusan College. Mr. President, I would like to ask you to make Korea a country where older persons who are studying while working can carry on with their lives without having to worry too much, so that they can fulfill their long-cherished desire for learning. If possible, expanding scholarship opportunities for us would be truly appreciated. I love you, Mr. President!”

Mr. Kim, Thank you for sharing your story. I am really grateful to you for having set an example of working hard against all odds.

Mr. Kim will be eligible for a student loan from the Korea Student Aid Foundation. This government-sponsored loan program will be of great help to financially strapped students as its interest rates are significantly lower than those of commercial banks.

We are now living in an era that requires preparation for new jobs in the later stages of life, which necessitates life-long education. I will see to it that the Government continues to improve the related regulations and services to lift the burden from those who are continuing their education while working. We will expand training opportunities by making the most of the employment insurance funds intended for helping employees develop their job skills.

In addition, the Government newly added a special college admission program last October for those who graduated from vocational high schools. Graduates from vocational high schools who are currently employed for more than three years since graduation will be qualified to apply to universities without having to take the College Scholastic Ability Test. This program is expected to give technical experts a tailor-made educational opportunity.

<RECORDING: Letter from Ms. Park Eun-soo> “Dear Mr. President: I am Park Eun-soo, turning 21 this year. I am now living in Gangwon-do province. If I say more about myself, please don’t be surprised, I have as many as six legs. That’s not because I am an invertebrate. As a matter of fact, I have a physical disability and need a wheel chair to move around. I obtained my high school equivalency by passing a state exam with a high average score and am going to a college in Donghae city this year. This will be my first journey into the real world. I was told that there are about 7,500 people with disabilities living in Donghae, but there are only two buses specially designed for the disabled, making it difficult for us to get around. It is also frustrating that physically challenged people cannot move around with ease simply because of the curbs on the street; lowering them by 3cm would make a world of difference! All these small and big inconveniences make me question whether I could commute to college safely and comfortably in the city. Nonetheless, cheers to you! Way to go, Mr. President!”

Ms. Park, I heartily congratulate you on your admission to college. Reading your letter, I got the impression that you are a bright young lady with a cheerful heart.

As President, I feel a sense of great responsibility for what Ms. Park has pointed out. In order to tackle the urgent issue concerning Ms.Park’s commuting difficulties, I will strive to find a solution working with the local government and the university concerned. The Government has come up with new standards stipulating that the curbs at the entrance of buildings and sidewalks should be no higher than 2cm; these regulations are now in the process of being implemented. However, there seems to be some existing facilities that need to be overhauled. In the years to come, you will see and feel the changes and improvements in schools and elsewhere more clearly.

With the special education law for people with disabilities taking effect in May 2009, it has become mandatory for universities to open a support center for those with physical and mental challenges and provide necessary assistance.

As of now, there is a helper program at about 200 universities, covering about 4,000 college students with disabilities. The system will be further expanded.

The Government will also make efforts to create more job opportunities for those with special needs. Starting this year, it is planning to make it compulsory for all government agencies, local governments as well as state-invested corporations to reserve 3 percent of their jobs for the physically challenged. Private companies will also be made to hire more people with disabilities, providing 2.7% job reservations by 2014. By doing so, the Government will create 38,000 new jobs for physically challenged job seekers.

Indisputably, each and every one should be able to lead a comfortable life in an advanced nation. I hope Ms. Park will continue to work hard.

<RECORDING, letter from Ms Hyun Hat-nym> “Dear Mr. President: I am currently working at an SME in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do province. When I was a student, I thought that the reason why people failed to become a full-timer or regular worker was because they had failed to hone their skills or manage their careers properly. Now, I have become one of the part-timers, so-called the temps, myself. The biggest problem that we, non-regular workers face is that we cannot feel a sense of belonging to the company we work for. Gripped with anxiety over sudden dismissal, we feel like we are standing on the edge of a precipice everyday. I hope the Government will reach out for non-regular workers.”

Ms. Hyun, I also went through a similar experience when I was young. Thus, I can thoroughly understand how you feel.

The Government will redouble its efforts to reduce discrimination against non-regular workers, including temps and contract workers, and improve working conditions for them. The best solution is to create as many job opportunities as possible. Besides, decent jobs are urgently needed.

The Republic of Korea has successfully overcome the global financial crisis last year in the shortest period of time in the world. However, it seems that low-income families have yet to feel the warm, gentle breeze of the turnaround in full. Providing jobs is the best welfare policy of all. This year I will channel all my energy and efforts into creating jobs.

<RECORDING: Letter from Mrs. Park Jin-young> “Dear Mr. President: I am Park Jin-young, and my husband is currently serving in the army. We got married seven years ago. During this period, we have moved seven times. When we look around us, we can find elementary school children changing their schools frequently, some as many as six times. Still, I am not asking you to raise the salary for the servicemen nor have us move as little as possible. There was a time when students used to send letters to the servicemen to express their gratitude. I want to see such a warm and loving atmosphere surrounding our society once again. The Republic’s men and women in uniform are fiercely committed and remain faithful to their duty. Please remember them and their sacrifices. If I have a chance to meet you many years later, I hope I will be able to say to you, ‘I have been very happy as a wife of a soldier.’”

Mrs. Park, what an ordeal you have gone through to have had to move seven times in seven years. Yet you don’t sound like you hold any grudge. What you are essentially saying is that you just want to be a proud wife of a soldier. My heart goes out to you, and I cannot thank you enough.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the family members of our armed forces personnel for demonstrating such pride even under most difficult circumstances. I would like you to remember the promise that I had made earlier that I would do my best to make sure that the uniform you wear remains to represent the most honorable and respectable service, and that your career as a military personnel is something to be proud of, indeed.

The nation’s prosperity and freedom can only be assured when the members of our armed forces are accorded due honor and respect. The Government will never forget those who devoted themselves for the defense of our country. Two years ago, for instance, the Government dedicated a heroes’ monument and statues in honor of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves in the Yeonpyeong Island naval battle.

In order to boost the morale of our armed forces, the Government is improving the barracks and living quarters as well as the medical system for them. At the same time, Government measures are being devised for the retiring members of the armed forces so that they will be able to lead a successful second life as civilians. Once again, I would like to offer warm words of encouragement to all those who are safeguarding the peace of the nation and the world.

I read many other letters that addressed various issues. There are many problems that cannot be solved right away. But be assured that the Government will do all it can in the interest of its citizens; we will read your minds and listen to your hearts, so that your wishes and dreams can be translated into reality.

On this occasion, I would like to address my talk directly to the civil servants working in the Government. I earnestly want you to try to proactively meet the needs of citizens as if their problems were your own. Search for ways to help them instead of saying “It is too hard.” Keep trying in a positive manner, and you will find the way.

In adversities, Korean people have never lost hope. Truly, we are a great nation. Along with all the citizens, I am willing to work even harder in order to help make our nation more prosperous, our society more compassionate and our country more powerful.

Last year, Korea became the first country to come out of the global economic crisis. The world recognizes that. In the beginning of 2009, many people predicted that the Republic would experience 3 percent negative growth for the year, but it ended the year on a positive note.

The country became the chair nation of the G-20 meeting, and eventually was chosen to host the summit meeting later this year. In another historic event, Korea signed a contract with the United Arab Emirates for the construction of a nuclear power plant worth 47 trillion won.

Look at the brilliant performances of our national team in the recent Winter Olympics. Don’t you see something very special about our country? These days, I often hear people say, “Korea is poised to embark on a journey toward greater prosperity,” or “I see many hopeful signs for the country.”

The nation created opportunities out of crises in the past. We can certainly build up a great Korea indeed if we join forces now as we ride on the crest of a wave of good omens.

Spring is around the corner. Weather can change from minute to minute these days, so take good care of your health. I hope you will start another week full of energy.

Thank you very much.