Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said, "We will drive growth with ABCDE (AI, bio, cultural content, defense industry, energy) at the core."
On the 1st, in a New Year's address, Kim said, "Now that the K-brand is drawing global attention is both an opportunity for a great leap forward for the Republic of Korea and a very important moment to innovate our industrial structure and strengthen our fundamentals," and stated accordingly.
Kim said, "2026 will be 'the first year of a greater leap forward for the Republic of Korea,'" naming economic growth as the top priority.
He added, "We will ensure that all people across the nation share in the benefits of development," and said, "We will make tangible the vision of a cultural nation that Teacher Kim Gu dreamed of and build a society people can feel."
Kim said he hopes this year will see concern and a sense of solidarity for "a Republic of Korea where we are happy together" take root across corporations, the government, and all corners of society, and added, "Let us protect one another from industrial accidents and suicide, and together build a society where neighbors in need of a helping hand and young people struggling to enter society can live with hope."
He also reaffirmed his commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula. Kim said, "A greater leap forward for the Republic of Korea is only possible on the foundation of peace," adding, "The government will walk unwaveringly on the path toward peace."