Good morning, fellow Koreans,

I started off the first day of the New Year by paying tribute at Seoul National Cemetery. While I was there, I prayed that the nation’s fortunes would further prosper. We are now setting a milestone for increasing our national fortunes by turning crises into opportunities.

In addition to Korea’s stunning economic recovery and growth, our young people who have succeeded in the international arena are the very symbol of our soaring national fortunes. I often meet people on a variety of occasions, but what pleases and encourages me the most is when I get together with these inspiring young people.

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to meet Shin Hyun-sung, the 26-year-old who runs a website that allows consumers to make collective, discounted purchases on social networking sites. He and four of his friends founded the business last May with a capital of five million won (US$4,500). In just eight months, the business has grown to the extent that it now hires 110 workers, breaking the 20 billion won (US$17.8 million) mark in sales.

Mr. Shin said, “To promote venture businesses, the Government needs to create the necessary infrastructure and instill enthusiasm in young people, rather than simply providing subsidies.” It is truly remarkable that a five-man startup became a business with 110 employees. I hope his business achieves its goal this year of surpassing 100 billion won in sales and creates more jobs.  

The story of Kim Eok-gi was equally impressive. He created a healthy small business specializing in producing parts for LCD equipment through continuous technological innovation.  He went to a technical high school to relieve his parents of the burden of paying his tuition. After graduation, he found a job in a small company where he was able to hone his technical expertise. At the age of 28, he started his own business, and it has now advanced into markets in China and Slovakia. Step by step, he is fulfilling a vision of transforming his company into a global business.

I hope the future technical masters being educated in Meister high schools and students at specialized high schools who can now study without having to worry about tuition payments starting this year, will pay heed to the stories of these startup businessmen.

Recently, the number of creative one-man startups in knowledge services is on the increase, which is a very encouraging sign. The number of such businesses stood at 200,000 in 2009, but it rose to 230,000 in 2010. While they are one-man startups, approximately 30,000 jobs were created.

I know that even for companies hiring hundreds of employees, it is not easy to add 10 new openings. How great it would be if many one-man startups would become successful and be able to hire dozens of job seekers each, if not hundreds of them?

For its part, the Government is currently taking various measures to support such one-man startups with creative ideas, including the provision of free office space and management consulting services. In addition, it will also redouble efforts to build a venture infrastructure and social media.

Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook at the age of 20 and nurtured it into a globally renowned social networking service. To nurture such pioneers in Korea, the Government will create an open environment where young people can take on new challenges. Given their creativity and pioneering spirit, I believe our youngsters have more than enough ability to achieve their goals.

Young people may choose somewhat less risky careers, for instance, at conglomerates or as public servants. But in the 21st century, I hope to see more and more young people express their creativity and challenge the global arena to seize greater opportunities. Rather than engaging in fierce competition in limited areas, now is the time go beyond the beaten path, to  blaze a trail in the global arena.

Such is the case of female entrepreneur Park Ji-young, who is currently distinguishing herself in the mobile game industry. From the very moment that she started her business at the age of 24, she made preparations to advance into the global market. A great opportunity was opened up with the advent of smartphones, which allowed her to compete in the global content market.

Early last year, her company’s overseas sales stood at 5 percent of its total, yet it shot up to 35 percent at the end of the year. This year the company is planning to boost it to as much as 50 percent. She said, “If a business doesn’t do well in the global market, it would only be natural for it to face difficulties in the domestic market.” Her remarks have significant implications. 

Lee Jang-young, a graduate of Kwandong University in Gangwon Province, wanted to work in a global environment-related business. Now, he is working for the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore. I hope young Koreans listen attentively to what Mr. Lee has to say; “If you are determined to do your best, you can set your sights overseas.”

When I visited Thailand to attend the 4th East Asia Summit in 2009, I met Ha Song-hui who was in charge of VIPs in a local hotel. After graduating from high school in Korea, she decided to enter a university in Thailand and majored in hotel management. At an early age, she made a choice that took into consideration the advanced tourism industry of Thailand. 

You can be certain these young people suffered great difficulties as they became pioneers in pursuit of new opportunities. Yet they were not afraid to fail and overcame challenge after challenge to finally realize their dreams. Even at this very moment, there are many young Koreans who are continuing to face new challenges. I applaud and would like to encourage them all.

Korea has concluded FTAs with 45 countries so far and continues to expand its economic territory worldwide. I hope to see our young people’s imagination stretched beyond Korea into our global economic territory.

At the G20 Seoul Summit, the Republic proposed a Development Agenda for the first time. The proposal is intended to help developing countries achieve growth. Our globalization effort is not confined to economic activities; it is also the globalization of responsibility. If we want to put the Development Agenda into practice, we must first identify global problems as our own.

I hope to see more and more young Koreans volunteering in developing countries and working in various international organizations. Currently, a number of Koreans are devoted to providing various services all over the world, but I hope to see more and more of them engaged in such voluntary work. Talented young people who have international experience through overseas service are likely to meet any challenge, and the Government will help them do so.

Fellow Koreans,

The Republic of Korea has now embarked on a journey toward a Global Korea based on an open door policy and cooperation with a global network. Our young generation, a generation I like to call the G20 generation, will be the leaders of such a Global Korea.

The G20 Generation is characterized by a challenging spirit based on positive thinking and by a capacity to enjoy what they do. Here I quote Jang Selgi, who was the last kicker in the decisive penalty shootout at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final who told me, “I know the spectators were excited seeing the game, so can you imagine how excited we were playing the game?”

The G20 Generation is also characterized by a belief in putting forth its best effort with passion through fair competition. It never fears or hesitates to accept a challenge in the world arena, and tends to dream big and tries to make that dream come true.

Those young people who overcome their current difficulties by setting their sights on the long-term payoffs may well be called true members of the G20 Generation. The G20 Generation is capable of caring about the problems of the world as well as their own, and for this reason, they are mature citizens of the world. Because of the dreams and hopes of the G20 Generation, I believe the future of Korea is bright.

I wish every one of you a new week filled with high hopes.

Thank you very much.