Good morning, fellow Koreans,

For five days beginning on August 21, I made a three-nation tour to Central Asia that took me to Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

These three developing countries are known to have the richest natural resources in Central Asia. They are crucial nations to Korea in its efforts to venture into the energy sector. Fortunately, relations between Korea and these countries are as good as they can be.

The Korean Government and Korean businesses have long worked hard to win contracts for three energy projects in these areas. The first of them is to develop the Surgil gas reserves worth U$4.1 billion in Uzbekistan and the others are to construct a coal-fired power plant and a petrochemical complex in Kazakhstan, each in the amount of U$4 billion. All told, the aggregate amount would reach approximately U$12 billion, or 13 trillion won.

Many countries, including China, have thus far engaged in fierce competition for these projects. During my recent tour, however, the final signing ceremonies were held between Korea and the two Central Asian nations in the presence of the heads of state.

It is my great pleasure to be able to bring the good news that could be a big present to all our businesses, the Government and the public ahead of Chuseok. We will forge the best partnerships with these three countries for future progress by sharing our development experience, capital and technology with them.

Fellow citizens,

The harvest moon festival of Chuseok, one of the most important Korean traditional holidays, is just a week away, but there are many worries about prices and other matters.

Price hikes have been inevitable due to the most severe torrential rains in nearly 100 years this summer, but the recent skyrocketing prices of vegetables and fruit are too much, weighing heavily on everyone.

For its part, the Government is doing what it can to the best of its ability. It has been releasing the reserved supplies of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to the maximum limit and exempting customs duty on some imports to lower the prices. Despite such endeavors, there seems to be a limit on how much we can reduce the prices of vegetables and fruit probably because of the especially high demand at this time of year.

No matter what the reasons are, I feel sorry to the people, especially low-income families.

When traditional holidays come, some employees get anxious because of unpaid back wages, and, in many cases, small businesses get in trouble because of financial shortages. In this regard, the Government is providing necessary funds for those in difficulties and offering special finances in the amount of 12.3 trillion won to small businesses before Chuseok. 

Notably this year, large conglomerates are leading by example and making payment in advance to their subcontractors before Chuseok in the cause of ecosystemic development. I find this move very fortunate.

The Government has lately come up with a fundamental policy to eradicate the problem of delayed payment of wages in the construction industry. It will continue to make efforts to address the issue of overdue wages.

I have a special request to make to our citizens with Chuseok holidays just around the corner. I hope people will frequently use traditional markets. It would be good to visit and shop at one of the less known traditional markets that are going through tough times. The revival of the economy of those traditional markets would go a long way toward helping the local economies as well as the day-to-day finances of low-income families.

Recent research into prices of food for ancestral rites has revealed that prices in traditional markets were cheaper than those at major supermarkets by 20 to 30 percent on average. Vegetables, wild edible greens and fish were found to be way cheaper.

Starting last year, the Government permitted parking and temporary stopping on the streets in the vicinity of traditional markets on holidays. I was told that the measure was of great help to the businesses.

For the coming Chuseok, the areas have been further expanded and placards have been put up, thus it is expected to make things more convenient for market-goers.

In the run-up to the Chuseok holidays, traditional market gift certificates have been selling well thanks to collaboration on the part of businesses with total sales reaching 80 billion won, more than three times that of last year. I expect this will greatly help brighten the mood in the traditional markets.

At a recent Cabinet meeting, the Government designated the last Saturday of every month as the day to visit traditional markets. This new movement has been initiated first in government circles, but the Government has a plan to expand it further to the private sector.

An increasing number of public organizations started forging a sisterhood relationship with traditional markets. I hope businesses in the private sector, universities and other entities will also join this movement.

The present-day traditional markets are a huge departure from the markets in the past. The quality of goods is very high, though they are relatively inexpensive. In addition, they are being sold in a better environment. I recommend that all of you should visit the traditional markets in person to realize such changes.

On this Chuseok, I hope many people and organizations will be able to make a visit to social welfare facilities and their neighbors in need to give them a helping hand. By doing so, Chuseok this time will be remembered as an occasion reaffirming that we are living in a warm-hearted community, with everyone considering and supporting each other. I hope the holiday season will pave the way toward making sharing with warm hearts take firm root in our society.

My fellow citizens,

Yesterday, the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 came to a successful end. All athletes did their best and deserve a big applause.

The success of the Championships is mainly attributable to the united efforts of the citizens of Daegu and residents of North Gyeongsang Province. Contrary to our initial concern that the number of spectators would be too small, the turnout was greater than expected. Activities of many willing volunteers made significant contributions to the success of the Championships.

Right now, the Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2011 is going on in that historic city. I recently had a chance to go there. I hope you will be able to find some time to enjoy the Culture Expo during the Chuseok holidays or at any time before it ends in a month.

On Chuseok, there are some people who are not able to visit their homes that they miss so much. They include those who engage in the transportation business, medical workers who are on emergency standby, firefighters and police officers. We are always grateful to you all for your hard work.

There might be some young people who can’t visit their homes either because they have yet to land a job. I hope all of them will be able to find a job soon and visit their home with overflowing joy and happiness next year.

I also hope the many flood victims will be able to recover from the damage as quickly as possible and have a joyful holiday.

The Government will pay attention to those in need with greatest care. I hope everyone will be able to share their warm hearts with their neighbors on the coming Chuseok. 

Thank you very much.