Good morning, fellow citizens,

Today, I would like to talk about the political crisis, which is as serious as the economic crisis facing us.

Last week, I was taken aback by foreign media reports. They all carried a flurry of pictures and footage of our National Assembly where lawmakers were wielding a sledgehammer and an electric chain saw while scuffling with each other. Those photos made me ashamed indeed, but what was all the more shocking to me was an article about the brawls.

The article said that it is not the first time that such violence had taken place in the Korean National Assembly and that it demonstrates an unruly democracy unique in Korea. It went on to say that such brawls, which might appear as the international news of the day, are not uncommon in Korea’s National Assembly.

How is it possible for our hard-fought democracy to be reduced to an object of international contempt! As President, I blushed with shame.

The hammer that smashed down the door to a conference room hurt me as if it had pounded the democracy of Korea as well as my head and heart.

Korea began to chair the OECD Ministerial Meeting from this year. In addition, the country is the cochair of the next G-20 Summit. However, I felt my mind fill with concern about whether we will be able to properly perform our part as chair with such a shameful appearance.

An advanced, leading nation will never be achieved only with an increased gross domestic product. Advancement in politics is also a prerequisite. An advanced country will not be possible without enhancing the dignity of the nation.

Fellow citizens,

You may know well that countries around the world are engaging in fierce competition to upgrade their state brand values. Only when the brand value of a county is elevated will its people and products be highly respected.

It is regrettable that Korea’s brand value is lagging at just 1/50 of that of Japan while its economic size ranks near the world’s top ten. Worse yet, the country’s brand value is falling behind those of such private companies as Samsung and Hyundai.

Experts have so far named intense labor-management confrontation and illegal street protests as well as the North Korean nuclear program as main culprits in lowering Korea’s brand value. That means if the problems of labor-management relations and unlawful rallies improved, our brand value would be further heightened to that extent.

What is frustrating is the fact that at a time when the Government and even the private sector are working very hard to promote the state brand, the politicians seem to be undermining what has been achieved so far with great efforts. In contrast to their behavior, the lawmakers are supposed to provide assistance for such a national drive or even take the initiative.

I believe that I am not the only one who has felt uneasy about the possible negative impressions on children and foreigners of the violent conflicts at the National Assembly.

Fellow citizens,

The past 60 years of the Republic was the history of democratization. The democracy that has been achieved at great sacrifice constituted the pride of our country, which is no less remarkable than the nation’s striking industrialization.

Violent clashes in the National Asembly this time cast a pall over our pride. On top of this, it has also made us uneasy about our nation’s future. Democracy and violence cannot stand together. We are no longer living under a military-influenced dictatorship. The Republic today is a clear departure from the past when the people had no choice but to resort to the right of resistance in standing against dictatorship. The nation has so far produced five presidents through direct presidential elections, and pubic opinion is reflected in politics without limit through elections.

I want to emphasize that the National Assembly must be a symbol and bastion of peace and respect for the law at all times and in all situations. Isn’t it impossible to establish the rule of law when the National Assembly that makes the laws, which the public must obey, does not respect and observe them themselves?

In the case of small shop owners, who struggle to make a living every day, aren’t they fined for cars parked in front of their shops even for a short while during work? Aren’t they subject to a driving ban after repeated violations?

I still remember seeing the phrase inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. during my visit. It reads, “Freedom Is Not Free.” The phrase means that freedom is not something that is achieved without cost or sacrifice. And, it is not something that allows one to act as he or she pleases. 

For sure a free democracy brings with it sacrifices and responsibilities. If the nation just ignored the incident as if nothing happened, there would be no political progress. The public is disappointed. However, if the National Assembly takes the incident as an opportunity to reform itself, the public may begin to have hope again.

As President, I am well aware that I am not totally free of responsibility in the incident. In the light of this, I would like to reaffirm my determination before the nation. I intend to devote my total energy to reviving the economy and relieving the difficulties of low-income families, steering clear of ideological or regional differences this year. I will not be a President who refrains from doing something important for fear of my approval rating.

In fact, I have presented many policies, but virtually all of them met strong opposition. Sometimes, I feel very frustrated.

Ministries and agencies completed their new year’s reports to the President at the end of last year—fully three months earlier than usual. As a result, they have plans to disburse their budget early, but their plans have hit a snag because the National Assembly is unable to pass the necessary bills due to confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.

The next six months, the first and second quarters, are the most critical period for our economy. There is an extreme urgency to passing the bills without delay. If the National Assembly continues to procrastinate, substantial damage will be done to the people, particularly to low-income families.

Political polarization results in division and prevents national integration. This is no less serious than the economic polarization in our society and should be overcome once and for all.

Fellow Koreans,

On a number of occasions, I have told you my visions for establishing an advanced, leading nation. My idea of a leading nation does not necessarily mean Korea has many rich people. My dream is to build an advanced, leading country where many respectable people live and where every citizen is treated with dignity and leads a life as a citizen of the world.

In order to achieve this, the nation needs political dynamism first and foremost. That is the reason why we need political reform in the interest of good politics. What is needed is not more words but action.

It is my earnest hope that every citizen will join forces to accomplish this important task.

Thank you very much.