Fellow Koreans,

I am standing here to inform you about a significant decision just made at the Nuclear Security Summit. It was decided at the meeting that the Republic of Korea will host the Second Nuclear Security Summit in the first half of 2012. It was proposed by President Barack Obama and adopted by unanimous consent of the participating heads of government.

This achievement can be ascribed to the fact that the Korean Peninsula is directly exposed to nuclear threats and that the international community recognizes the Republic as having set the best example of utilizing nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

The G-20 Summit due this November in Korea is the premier consultative body pertaining to economic matters while the Nuclear Security Summit constitutes the highest-level conference convened to delve into the nuclear issue, the linchpin of global security. Korea’s hosting of the two conferences represents its emergence as a key player in name and substance on the center stage of the international community.

I am convinced that this accomplishment is attributable to the Korean people’s support and encouragement. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my fellow Koreans.

The overriding goal of the Nuclear Security Summit lies in deterring nuclear terrorism. The international community needs to strive consistently to achieve the ultimate goal of a “world without nuclear weapons.”

What is more urgent now for Korea than anything else is to bring about a Korean Peninsula “without nuclear weapons.” In this context, I emphatically told the leaders of participating countries that it is historically significant for the Second Nuclear Security Summit to be held in South Korea during the first half of 2012.

Present at the current Nuclear Security Summit are leaders from 47 important countries as well as representatives from three major international organizations. If we endeavor to further develop the summit, Korea will, in two years, be able to host an even larger summit as well as help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

Thank you very much for all your support.