Good morning, fellow Koreans,

Last week, we elected a new President who will usher in the future of the Republic of Korea over the next five years. My heartfelt congratulations go to President-elect Park Geun-hye who was chosen and given a mandate by the people. I also send my warmest sympathy and encouragement to presidential candidate Moon Jae-in.

It is said that elections are the centerpiece of democracy upholding the will of the people who are the masters of the country and, at the same time, a festival envisioning the nation’s future. This was the sixth presidential election since Korea was democratized in 1987, and the way the election was carried out showed more maturity. The election was conducted in a fair and orderly manner, and the beauty of it is the fact that the opposition contender accepted the result.

I am grateful to all the people who actively participated in the election process from start to finish and voted with a lofty sense of responsibility as democratic citizens. The election served as a chance for us to realize once again what a great people we are.

Fellow citizens,

Even though voters were sharply divided along regional, generational and ideological lines in the election, I believe they are all one when it comes to concerns about the country and people. Now is the time for us to embrace differences and mend conflicts to achieve national unity and great reconciliation. Through this, we can carve out a victory for all of us. I hope everyone will support with one mind the future we chose for the success of the new Administration.

The important tasks that the incoming Administration has to deal with immediately are security and the economy. North Korea has recently pushed ahead with the launching of a long-range missile, posing threats to stability on the Korean Peninsula and global peace.

On top of this, amidst the prolonged global economic crisis, the global economy is projected to fare a bit better next year than this year. Still, we cannot afford to be very optimistic. Among other things, the exchange rates of the dollar and yen against the Korean won rose sharply, a warning sign to the country’s exporters. Now is high time for the Government, businesses and workers to make joint efforts to boost investments, create more job opportunities and increase exports.

The Government will do its utmost to provide assistance for a smooth transition to the new Administration to make sure that it will be able to handle pending tasks well and administer state affairs without a hitch. I especially urge the lawmakers to cooperate to ensure that there are no major problems in running state affairs or in the everyday lives of low-income families in the New Year by expeditiously passing the budget and other bills related to the daily lives of the public.

If we further foster the foundation for an advanced, leading nation that we have strengthened in the course of surmounting the rough waves of the global economic crisis, I am convinced that we would be able to usher in a new era where all people can be happy.

To all of you who have worked day and night, steadfast in the face of the crisis—your travails have been great indeed. We have had no easy tasks, but with one heart and with greater success than any other nation, we have together overcome this crisis. I would like to celebrate with you all what we have accomplished together and also thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I trust that the coming New Year will be one that sees our nation unfurl its sails and continue with great vigor on its course into the wide world. I, too, will give my full attention to the issues of your daily living and security until my very last day in office.

Last Saturday evening, delightful carols filled the air around a newly lit Christmas tree on Aegibong Peak. It is my wish that these beautiful songs of love and light will echo throughout the stretch of the land to our north.

Tonight is Christmas Eve, a night on which we celebrate the birth of the infant Jesus and share love and joy. I am truly thankful to see people from all walks of life reaching out to one another in warmth during an exceptionally cold winter.  On this Christmas, as we celebrate this year’s end and welcome the one to come, may we share love with our neighbors in need.

Thank you very much.