Fellow Koreans, Speaker Kang Chang-hee and distinguished members of the National Assembly, I extend heartfelt congratulations on the opening of the 19th National Assembly.

Our National Assembly laid the cornerstone of the nation by writing the Constitution in 1948. Since then, the people’s representatives have ceaselessly presented a blueprint for the nation’s development and taken the lead in putting it into action.

As the bastion protecting Constitutional order, it worked together with the people in achieving democratization and has unwaveringly safeguarded liberal democracy.

Over the past 60 years, the National Assembly has also served as a venue for national integration by working through the sharp conflicts generated in the process of rapid economic development.

As President, I have confidence in and respect for the National Assembly for its proactive contributions to the country’s progress.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the 18th National Assembly for its cooperation with the Government in carrying out state affairs. At the same time, I look forward to stronger cooperative ties between the Government and the 19th National Assembly.

* Changes in the International Environment and Our Response

Distinguished members of the National Assembly,

The global economy is faced with a new challenge due to the 2011 fiscal crisis in Europe even though it has yet to recover from the financial crisis that emanated from the United States in 2008.

The wind of democratization that blew from North Africa has now reached Asia going beyond the Middle East.

This phenomenon is not an isolated incident, but obviously constitutes a trend of the times.

The world is now going through a transition in civilization and travails on the path toward a new order.

We are called upon to squarely face the crisis brought about by this unprecedented chaos. We should cope with the challenge with agility and surmount it proactively. We should carefully study the trend of changes and move forward with the tide.

Taking it a step further, we should try and turn crises into opportunities by charting a new course of change. Northeast Asia is at the center of such changes. The tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula and neighboring countries make us keenly aware of the fact everyday that we are standing at a historic crossroads.

Under these grave circumstances, the Government and the National Assembly are charged with the responsibilities of advancing the country toward the future while relieving the anxieties of the people and addressing pending issues.

With this recognition, I am convinced that the executive, legislature and judiciary that lead state affairs in partnership should work more closely together in the national interest. They must do so from a broad perspective while maintaining a mutual check and balance.

Living up to the people’s expectations, the ruling and opposition parties have made concessions and come together to open the 19th National Assembly today. Seeing this process going ahead smoothly, I reaffirm my belief in the Assembly.

Humbly looking back on my successes and shortcomings thus far, I will faithfully uphold the will of the people and do what I can to the best of my abilities in steering state affairs to my last day in office. In so doing, I promise I will actively communicate with the National Assembly and continue to seek its cooperation. At this point, I would like to speak with you about several priority policies in running state affairs.

*Entering onto the Center Stage of the Global Society

Fellow Koreans,

The Republic of Korea has now become a major country in the international community.

It has transformed itself to a donor country from an aid recipient.

The Republic of Korea became the seventh country to join the ranks of advanced powers that have a population of over 50 million and a per capita income of more than US$20,000.

It is the one and only case for a nation that newly gained independence after the end of the Second World War. Considering that Korea is a divided country that continues to be plagued by national security issues and has scanty natural resources, it is indeed a remarkable achievement.

Some call this accomplishment a miracle, but there is nothing that can be obtained for free or by a miracle in the world. It is solely the fruit that our people cultivated with sweat and tears.

Korea has also emerged as a member of the major countries in the world by becoming the chair of the G20 Summit and the Nuclear Security Summit, the two premier forums on global economy and security.

Now the Republic of Korea takes on a leading role in the global community.

It is urged to spearhead the efforts to set the agenda for problem solving and the development of the international community. It should take the lead in formulating strategies and action plans.

Taking pride in our history and culture, we are now in the position to share what we have achieved with our neighbors.

We should be proud of being citizens of the Republic of Korea and do our part with commensurate responsibilities.

The Government will redouble its efforts to ensure that the newly-achieved status of Korea will take firm root in the international community and expand further.

* Overcoming Global Economic Crises

Fellow citizens,

Korea has so far surmounted economic crises in the most exemplary fashion in the world. It was possible because the Government, businesses, workers and even consumers have come together and toughed it out working hard.

When most countries suffered constant declines in their sovereign credit ratings, Korea’s rating rose on two occasions.

Yet, now is not the time for us to let our guard down. Many renowned research institutions and specialists around the world predict that there is slim possibility that the current crisis will be solved in a short period of time.

The economic outlook for the latter half of this year is not that bright. The Government has put itself into an emergency mode in preparation for the projections.

It is carefully monitoring uncertain economic developments inside and outside the country and taking measures to implement them.

Even as we are going through this tough time, we have to look ahead and see the new global order we will face at the end of the current crisis.

If we somehow manage to surmount this crisis and lay the groundwork for new growth, our economy would be able to take yet another step up to a new height.

The fundamentals of the nation''s economy are robust, and the capabilities of Koreans stand out.

I am confident that we will be able to continue performing well in the years to come as we have done so well up to now.

I express my deep respect to the Korean people who have made great efforts enduring many hardships so far.

* Guiding Principles of Economic Policy

Distinguished members of the National Assembly,

As seen in the recent crisis in Europe, fiscal stability is the last rampart in the national economy.

We were able to successfully get past the economic crisis only because government finances were strong enough to underpin the economy.

The Government will never pass a heavy burden onto our sons and daughters just to stave off the present difficulties.

However, it will concentrate spending on essential sectors that are necessary for nurturing future growth engines and stabilizing the day-to-day living of the people.

As the global economic crisis persists, the entire world is suffering from problems of unemployment and polarization.

The Korean economy is evaluated as faring relatively well, but it is true that low-income families are still suffering difficult and hard conditions in their day-to-day lives. Insofar as it does not compromise fiscal soundness, the Government will do its utmost to safeguard and revitalize the foundation of the everyday lives of working class people.

FTAs are a survival strategy for the nation. Korea lacks natural resources and its domestic market is small. In this situation, there is no other way but to advance into overseas markets and expand trade relations in order to sustain growth and secure an increasing number of job opportunities.

For this reason, previous governments have consistently pursued the goal of establishing Korea as an open trading nation.

Now we are gradually seeing the fruits of the FTAs the Government has so far concluded.

Investment flow to Korea from the EU and Japan has recently soared, and investment from the United States is also expected to rise by a large margin. Businesses that have relocated overseas are now returning.

As part of efforts to deal with the expansion of FTAs, the Government is focusing its efforts on strengthening the competitiveness of vulnerable industries, including farming, livestock breeding and fishing, instead of simply providing support.

The Government also continues its endeavors to promote shared growth between the conglomerates and SMEs and create a healthy market environment.

In the Liberation Day speech last year, I declared “ecosystemic development” as one of the goals in steering state affairs.

The gist of ecosystemic development is giving hope to working class people and creating a society where each and every citizen is well off.

Against this backdrop, at the G20 Summit held in June in Los Cabos, Mexico, I proposed addressing the issue of polarization the whole world is agonizing over through ecosystemic development.

This proposal was well received by global business leaders on the scene.

Our successful implementation of ecosystemic development with good results will make a contribution to tackling the so-called ‘crisis of capitalism’.

*Job Opportunities and Social Welfare

The Government top priorities in running state affairs are placed on job opportunities and stabilizing prices, two issues that matter the most to the lives of working class people.

This year the Government will create about 400,000 new jobs and curb consumer price increases to around 2 percent without fail.

The Government is also doing its utmost to address the issue of non-regular workers in which many lawmakers have keen interest.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to the members of the National Assembly for their cooperation in improving laws and institutions for the advancement of labor-management relations that have been pending for the past 13 years.

The welfare budget this year amounts to about 93 trillion won, the largest amount in our history. By knitting the welfare safety net more densely, it was made possible to help those in desperate need.

The Government already carried out a nationwide survey this year following the one last year to identify those who have fallen through the cracks in the welfare system. A total of 24,000 people were identified and given necessary help. 

In order to make the social welfare delivery system more transparent and effective, the Government established the integrated social welfare management network, named Haengbok e-eum.

Despite all these endeavors, there are still many people in our society who are subject to difficult and trying circumstances. Keeping this fact in mind, the Government will do all it can to ensure that each and every citizen can lead a decent life with self-esteem.

Our goal is to make sure that those who really need help receive it at an opportune time. However, the overriding objective is to help them stand on their own feet.

Since last April, the Government has been waging a large-scale war against illegal private loans.

For the two months of the all-around reporting period, over 20,000 complaints were filed. Afterwards, over 500 cases have been reported on a daily basis. While bringing unlawful private moneylenders to justice, the Government is also providing financial and legal support to victims to convert high-interest loans into ones with low interest.

Thinking that illicit private loans are tantamount to violent crimes infringing on human rights, the Government will track them down to the very end and eradicate them.

*Education and Openness in Employment Opportunity

Distinguished lawmakers,

It is a fact that in our society, there still remains a prejudice that puts academic background before individual ability.

Because of this tendency, Korea’s college acceptance rate reached the highest level in the world.

Excessive emphasis on higher education degrees has resulted in many problems such as overheated college admission tests, private education expenses, unemployment of many advanced degree holders and a shortage of workers required by small and medium-sized companies.

As a means of solving the problems, the Government has started fostering Meister and specialty high schools, offering full scholarships for all the students and enabling them to get a job upon graduation.

Those working high school graduates who want to pursue more specialized knowledge are allowed to attend college under a system called, “Get a degree while working.”

Businesses are also enthusiastically supporting the work-study program. This year, 90 percent of all the aspiring specialty high school graduates attained employment.

The nation’s Meister high schools are to produce their first graduates next year and expect that all of them will be hired. Accordingly, many young high achievers are seeking admission to the Meister schools.

At the same time, the Government will continue to increase hiring of high school graduates in the public sector. By creating more and more jobs for high school graduates, the country will bring about an open society in employment.

There is a dark side to our education as well.

Before the older generation could get a grip on the situation, school violence has become a serious social issue.

School violence exerts a great impact on all young people and society in general as well as on the students directly involved.

The Government’s comprehensive measures on the elimination of school violence have been enforced since they were established in February.

In a recent survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, a majority of teachers, parents and students replied that school violence has decreased since the new measures were put into effect. This is a fortunate development.

Basically, resolution of school violence can only be accomplished through the joint effort of all social entities—the teachers, parents and students. The Government will continue to strive to crack down on it.

*Green Growth

Members of the National Assembly,

Low-carbon green growth is a mandatory task for all of humanity. If it is something that we must do, we had better do it as quickly as possible.

Korea legislated the Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth, the first in the world. More recently, the country also enacted the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Act.

I deeply appreciate the National Assembly that has given full support to laying the legal and systemic foundation for green growth.

Inspired by that support, the country is creating numerous jobs taking the advantage of green technology and green industries. Also the pace is quickening in our march toward establishing an advanced low-carbon economic structure.

Last month, I was in Rio de Janeiro and attended an official signing ceremony to convert the Global Green Growth Institute into an international organization. It is quite significant that Korea initiated the GGGI, helping create an important international organization for the first time in the nation’s history.

In this way, Green Growth has turned into an international policy objective and valuable asset going beyond Korea.

This kind of exemplary contribution to civilization undoubtedly will raise the prestige and sharpen the competitive edge of the nation.

*Peaceful Reunification

Distinguished members of the National Assembly,

The world now is going through a great transition, and in the midst of the currents of change, the Korean Peninsula is facing a crucial turning point as well. We have to look straight at reality.

North Korea should come forward without delay and cooperate with the international community so that both the South and North can travel the path of prosperity together.

As we can see in the case of Myanmar, when Pyongyang opts for openness, the community of nations as well as South Korea will actively assist it.

North Korea has potential for developing faster than any other country.

Currently the North’s human rights and nuclear arms issues remain urgent and serious. All countries in the world are keenly interested in and apprehensive about the problem. South Korea naturally will continue to pay attention to the issues and coordinate with other nations.

Our eventual task is national reunification. Peaceful unification is a historic call of the times thrust upon our generation, and we have to prepare for it expeditiously.

One of the core projects will involve the establishment of a unification fund. I urge the National Assembly to heed to this and other relevant issues.

My fellow Koreans and members of the legislature,

The nation is to hold a presidential election in December. The Government will manage the elections fairly with an historic sense of responsibility.

During the past half century, our nation has never succumbed to any hardships and continued to leap forward, turning crises into opportunities.

Now is the time for us to make resolute determination and set up a strategy for the looming new international order that is to come in the aftermath of the current crisis.

Depending on how we do, we can grab a new chance stemming from the great transformation.

Utilizing good opportunities, the Republic of Korea ought to advance persistently.

In this sense, the role and responsibility of the 19th National Assembly are more important than any other time before. The Korean people have great expectations as well.

I will carry out the mandate entrusted to me to my last day in office.

Thinking about the future that our sons and daughters will inherit, I will lay a firm foundation and clear the path so that the next Administration will do even better.

Once more, I congratulate you on the opening of the 19th National Assembly today; I am grateful to Speaker Kang Chang-hee and all the members of the new legislature for inviting me to speak.

I wish every one of you a rewarding and glorious tenure.

Thank you very much.