UNJournal Jon Lee |  President Lee Jae-myung announced a comprehensive restructuring of South Korea's growth strategy during his January 21 New Year press conference, presenting a new vision for national development amid a major realignment of the global order.

 

 

In the morning at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan guest house, President Lee emphasized that "as the world order undergoes a massive transformation … If South Korea becomes mired in the ‘formula for past success,’ it too could fall back into a similar vicious cycle."

 

This was the third press conference of his tenure, following his one-month and 100-day briefings. It drew particular attention as the first official press conference since relocating his office to Cheong Wa Dae.

 

The president is expected to elaborate on a national plan to leap forward centered on five key principles—a clear demonstration of his determination to establish a new paradigm that breaks away from past growth models.

 

Full text of President Lee's opening remarks:

 

Distinguished and beloved citizens, as the world order undergoes a massive transformation, South Korea has the attention of the entire world.

 

I have keenly felt this while meeting heads of state on the diplomatic stage last year, and again while visiting China and Japan consecutively this year.

 

The international community's interest and expectations toward South Korea exceed anything we might imagine.

 

South Korea is no longer a small eastern nation surrounded by great powers, nor a latecomer following the proven solutions of advanced nations.

 

As the only country to achieve both industrialization and democratization simultaneously—transforming from an aid recipient to an aid donor—and as a nation that has once again set a shining example of democracy through indomitable resilience, our every step is gaining the world's attention.

 

Our South Korea has peacefully overcome an unprecedented democratic crisis and is pioneering a virtuous cycle where democratic restoration again drives economic growth and social development. Many nations that once led us have fallen into the trap of low growth by relying on previously successful 'formulas for success.'

 

As opportunities dwindle amid low growth, competition has turned into warfare, and when falling behind is equivalent to death, society breeds extremism that erodes democracy. This vicious cycle repeats itself as damaged democracies continuously hinder growth.

 

This is by no means a story exclusive to other countries. If South Korea becomes mired in the ‘formula for past success,’ it too could fall back into a similar vicious cycle. This is precisely why I said in my New Year's address that 'we must completely change the paradigm of growth.'

 

Regional-led growth, inclusive growth that shares opportunities and benefits equally, sustainable growth grounded in safety, attractive growth driven by culture, and stable growth underpinned by peace. The five major shifts I have outlined are the direct path to lead Korea toward a new future of great leaps forward, and they will become a new model of growth and advancement for the world to see.

 

Therefore, this grand transformation of our growth strategy is not merely about giving regions ‘an extra piece of cake’ or slightly increasing support for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. It is an ambitious endeavor to completely reorder the priorities of state administration from top to bottom, fully reallocate the resources and capabilities the government possesses, and redraw the growth map of the Republic of Korea.

 

So let me elaborate on several points:

 

First, the great transformation toward 'regional-led growth' has already begun. For each region to lead South Korea's growth, they must have the appropriate 'scale.'

 

The metropolitan integration currently underway of Daejeon and Gwangju with their respective provinces, Chungcheongnam-do and Jeollanam-do, is both the symbolic starting point of 'regional-led growth' and a national survival strategy that must succeed.

 

I make a clear promise here:

 

The direction of metropolitan integration will never waver based on political advantage or disadvantage.

 

If there are differing opinions, we will find rational alternatives through vigorous debate and take full responsibility for the administrative, financial, and institutional support needed for this.

 

Building on regional integration, South Korea's national territory—formerly a single-pole system centered on the capital region—will be restructured into a new five-pole, three-special zone system that will drive locally led growth.

 

The fundamental principle of providing more substantial support to regions farther from the metropolitan area will be implemented through all government policies.

 

Second, we will overcome ‘K-shaped growth’—where one side grows rapidly while the other stagnates—by pursuing ‘growth for all’ that equitably distributes opportunities and benefits. The key players in tackling this monumental task are startups and venture companies, which will create new growth engines through relentless innovation. Korean companies already have sufficient strength, as evidenced by sweeping innovation awards at CES in America.

 

I will create an 'era of startup and venture fever' so that young entrepreneurs and founders can freely challenge themselves and fully pioneer the path of innovation, and I will personally oversee specific policies.

 

Just as the venture fever created by the Kim Dae-jung administration led to our leap forward as an IT powerhouse, the startup and entrepreneurship fever created by the People's Sovereignty Government will be a structural turning point that changes the constitution of South Korea's economy.

 

The startup and entrepreneurship fever is both a jobs policy and a youth policy. We will concentrate government capacity so that local startups utilizing regional culture and resources can evolve into balanced development strategies, and tech startups nurturing future talent can create national growth strategies.

 

Third, 'sustainable growth based on safety' will be established even more firmly as a core principle of national governance.

 

We will steadfastly implement measures that will take root in safe working environments and respect for life, such as increasing labor inspectors by 3,500 and establishing workplace guardians. We will implement the maximum measures possible within the system, and if necessary, amend and newly establish related laws and systems.

 

If we create a structure where the costs and consequences of disregarding life are far more expensive than now, we can bring about substantive change in reducing industrial accidents.

 

Fourth, through 'attractive growth driven by culture,' we will nurture new growth engines, broaden diplomatic horizons, and enhance national competitiveness.

 

K-Culture, which generates laughter and tears in people around the world, no longer remains merely a cultural phenomenon. In an era of infinite competition where national self-interest has reached its peak, it is reconnecting the world by proving that universal human empathy is possible.

 

Although the culture budget has increased significantly to 9.6 trillion won this year, it is still far from enough to call ourselves a 'culturally advanced nation.' Support for and investment in culture will be turned into a core growth strategy that nurtures future industries and elevates our national brand.

 

Fifth, through 'stable growth supported by peace,' we will move forward unwaveringly toward a future of peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity so that our economy can leap to the next level.

 

As a 'pacemaker,' we will first make every diplomatic effort to ensure North Korea-U.S. dialogue can be realized as early as possible, and we will steadily, continuously—even incrementally—create the conditions needed to resume inter-Korean dialogue.

 

We will restore the September 19 Military Agreement to prevent accidental clashes between North and South and build trust politically and militarily.

 

We will also continuously seek creative solutions where peace benefits both North and South. The cold frost that has formed over the years will not melt all at once, but we will consistently and continuously pursue feasible measures to elicit responses from the North and achieve tension reduction on the Korean Peninsula.

 

Based on a solid ROK-U.S. alliance, strong independent national defense, and pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests, we will promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and continue taking meaningful steps toward a denuclearized peninsula.

 

Beloved citizens, we must now build national strength.

 

If we successfully achieve the five great transformations I mentioned, our South Korea will have grown significantly as a strong nation leading the world's future.

 

Throughout South Korea's turbulent history, the source of national strength has always been the people. This great unified power of our people—who, even when opinions differ, ultimately overcome any crisis once principles and direction are set—is the source of the national strength that created South Korea's present.

 

The first principle of national governance for the People's Sovereignty Government is 'the people's livelihood is everything.' Post-ideological, post-factional, post-political-strife realistic pragmatism is our direction.

 

We will resolutely correct any foul play, privilege, and unfairness that impede people's lives, no matter how trivial they may seem. In the same vein, we will also firmly pursue prosecutorial reform. As long as the authority entrusted by the people does not work for the people, correcting unfairness, privilege, and foul play remains distant.

 

No reform can be completed in one stroke.

 

We will continue to supplement laws and systems whenever necessary to better protect people's rights and minimize any confusion and ramifications. However, this process will not blur the essence of reform. We will never stop or waver due to resistance and burden.

 

We will uphold the purpose of reform to the end and create the most responsible solutions following the people's will so that reform leads to better lives for the people.

 

Proud citizens, now is South Korea's time.

 

In order to make this decisive moment before us the starting point of South Korea's great leap forward, I will faithfully fulfill the mission given to me with even greater sense of responsibility than last year.

 

Thank you.

(translated by AI, edited by David Kendall)