Good morning, fellow Koreans,

It is now May and flowers are blossoming. It is the Month of the Family when we celebrate Children’s Day, Parents’ Day and Married Couple’s Day. The family is both the foundation of our lives and the source of our happiness. Family bonds and love have been passed on as a time-honored tradition and spiritual asset. 

Recently, the novel Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-Sook has been well received by readers in the United States. A famous American magazine printed the following in a review of the novel, which is about a mother’s love for her family. “The universal resonance of family life lifts a novel rooted in the experience of Korean modernity to international success.” The author said she was surprised herself by the fact that there are a number of American readers who responded just like Korean readers.

Strong affectionate bond between family members is unique in Korea, but can also be readily appreciated by people around the world. After all, the reason we are working so hard is to make our families happier. Our parents sacrificed all they had for the sake of their children even in difficult and trying circumstances. No matter how poor they were, they went to any length to make sure their children were educated.

When I was young, there was a moment that I was about to give up everything. It was my mother’s painstaking devotion and the expectations she pinned on me that helped me climb out of despair and allowed me to stand on my feet again. I always thought to myself that I would buy her fine, new clothes and delicious food later when I began to earn money. I did not know then that there would be no such thing as “later.” My mother passed away even before she could see that I had landed a job and gotten my first pay.

All you listeners out there must have the same affectionate feeling for your parents as I do. The driving force behind Korea’s remarkable economic growth that stunned the world despite a series of crises must have been the power of the family.

However, traditional family values and the forms they take are undergoing significant changes with the passing of time. Concerning these changes, many people are worried about a possible weakening of family bonds as well as about declining marriage and birth rates and soaring number of divorces.

Recently, however, there have been some promising developments. Last year saw an increase in the number of marriages for the first time in years, and the divorce rate was the lowest in 13 years. The number of newborn babies last year increased by 25,000, up 5.6 percent compared to the year before. We all hope these trends will continue this year. To this end, the Government and businesses as well have to redouble efforts to create a more family-friendly atmosphere.

At a time when the nation was only engrossed in economic development, there was not enough time for families to spend together. Leisure enjoyed by the entire family was not a part of everyday life. Now that the nation is on the verge of joining the ranks of advanced countries, however, an increasing number of people are attaching more value to quality time with family.

Unlike the past, women can now make full use of their abilities, thereby realizing their potential. But a lot of women in Korea still find child rearing and housekeeping a heavy burden. As part of efforts to relieve this burden, the Government has recently raised the allowance for those who are on maternity leave to 40 percent of their ordinary wages or to a maximum of 1 million won from the fixed monthly allowance of 500,000 won. 

As a consequence, the number of workers who applied for childcare leave increased by 45 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. Cases of paternity leave are also on the gradual rise.

Community child centers also take care of children and assist them with their studies after school. This year a total of 300 more centers will be built to bring the total to 3,260. The Government is also planning to expand centers for children from multicultural families and children with disabilities.

Since last March, a total of 1,000 kindergartens and elementary schools are providing free extended daycare for low-income families. This will benefit working parents because their children will be safely taken care of until late in the evening.

This year, the Government is subsidizing nursery school expenses from a budget dubbed “Hope for Ordinary Families.” It covers all children except for a small number from high-income households. In addition, the program to dispatch caregivers to those households that cannot enroll their children in nursery schools is being expanded. In this way, the program has the added effect of creating jobs for middle-aged and elderly women.

I had a chance to read about Han Ae-ryung, a housewife who has been taking care of other people’s children for the last two and a half years. She said, “I know well how hard it is to raise children. That is why I have been working for a long time. There are many happy moments because I laugh a lot with the children.”

My fellow Koreans,

The Government is in the final stages of reviewing whether to introduce a universal head-start program for all 5-year-olds next year. This would mean that the state in effect would have to increase the burden of compulsory public education from the current 9 to 10 years. The Government will continue to strive for the enhancement of childcare and educational services.

Fellow citizens,

There is a saying, “All great changes originate at the dining table.” That is because we can talk most freely while sharing a meal. I hope various generational conflicts, among other things, can find solutions in a harmonious family atmosphere.

Nowadays, people use text messages and e-mail a lot. But let us not forget to actually telephone our relatives, especially those who live far away. We all may be busy, but we have to make time to let our family members know we love them. That is the essence of our life.

May is the Month of the Family. We often take our family for granted. But we should express our love and appreciation to them more often. Also do not forget to befriend your neighbors, particularly those in need.

Thank you very much.