South Korea's **Yoon Suk-yeol delivered a New Year's address to the people of the whole country via live television on the morning of January 1, 2024. In his speech, Yoon Suk-yeol repeatedly mentioned the term "people's livelihood", indicating the importance he attaches to improving people's living standards and solving social problems. Yoon also stressed the urgency and necessity of the three major reforms of labor, education, and pension (pension), which he said are the key to South Korea's economic and social development.
Yoon Suk-yeol first talked about real estate issues that are directly related to the people's livelihood economy. He said that ** will increase housing in the city ** to prevent citizens from moving out of the city to the suburbs in search of new homes, causing traffic congestion and environmental pollution. He said the new year** will expand small housing for families of 1-2 people**, while strengthening housing support for low-income people and young people. He also pledged to stabilize prices, especially the necessities of life, so that the people can enjoy the fruits of economic recovery.
Second, Yoon Suk-yeol spoke about the importance of labor reform. He said that labor reform is the engine of the country's economic growth and the foundation for achieving social justice. He said that he will flexibly improve the labor market, establish fairness in labor-management and "labor-labor" relations, and make every effort to improve safety in the labor frontline. He said that ** will provide differentiated support to companies that promote the transformation of the job performance system and those that compromise with the excessive rights protection unions. He stressed that the starting point of labor reform is the "rule of law between labor and capital", which is a way to avoid unnecessary disputes and contradictions and truly respect the value of labor.
Again, Yoon Suk-yeol spoke about the need for education reform. He said that education reform is the key to nurturing future talents and a way to improve national happiness. He said that the authority of higher education will be transferred to the local government, so that it will be linked to local industries and cultivate professionals who meet local needs. He said that the education curriculum will be diversified to ensure that the next generation can receive the education they want to receive, so that everyone can have a fair chance. He said that the monitoring and evaluation of the quality of education will be strengthened, and the transparency and trust of education will be improved.
Finally, Yoon Suk-yeol spoke about the urgency of pension reform. He said that pension reform is a means to ensure the people's old age, and it is also a measure to maintain the country's financial health. He said that he would conduct a study of pension finance as soon as possible, solicit public opinions, and submit a reform plan to the Diet. He said that he will do his best to ensure the basic pension level of the people, while considering the sustainability and fairness of the annuity system.
Yoon also mentioned the challenges facing the world economy this year and South Korea's response strategy. He said that a recession in the world economy is more likely this year than at any time before, and that exports are important to overcome the compounding crisis. He said that the economy will be at the center of all diplomatic work, and he will personally develop export strategies and promote economic cooperation with major partners. He called on companies to practice "entrepreneurship", saying that in addition to IT and biotechnology, it will also open a "new era of start-ups" in the fields of military industry, nuclear power, carbon neutrality, and Korean entertainment. He also stated that he would not compromise with vested interests and would make a new leap forward together with the entire people.
At the end of his speech, Yoon Suk-yeol extended New Year greetings to the people of the whole country, wishing everyone a happy New Year, family reunion, health and happiness. He also expressed his deep gratitude to the workers, soldiers, police officers and firefighters who still stuck to their posts during the Spring Festival holiday, and said that he would take care of the socially needy groups more warmly and carefully.