President Lee Jae-myung held a news conference on the 8th at the Blue House state guesthouse to mark his first year in office and unveiled his blueprint for political management in his second year in power.
In his opening remarks, Lee said, "I will make this year the start of a bold dream for an 'irreplaceable Korea' that no country in the world can substitute," adding, "Building on Korea's experience and capabilities, values and appeal, and the public's energy to overcome national crises, we will open a new era of the 'K-initiative.'"
Lee presented four specific state goals. First, he said he would strengthen competitiveness in advanced technology and ensure that the benefits are felt in the lives of the public and by small and medium venture businesses.
Lee said, "The fruits of growth must not remain with specific corporations, specific regions, or a specific institutional sector," adding, "The results and opportunities achieved by the capabilities of the entire community must flow to small and medium venture businesses and spread evenly across our land and all fields, leading to changes that every citizen can feel in daily life."
He said, "Soon we will present to the public a large-scale investment project that will bring about a 'grand shift in growth strategy,'" adding, "We will also prepare ways to most effectively use excess tax revenue from semiconductors." Lee added, "I believe that the more advanced strategic industries grow, the more trust there must be that people's lives will change, which makes bolder national investment and constant innovation possible."
On diplomacy and security, he spoke of peace and autonomy. Lee said, "Under the fundamental principle that peace is growth and peace is people's livelihoods, we will steadfastly pursue peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and the path of coexistence and shared prosperity," adding, "Based on a firm South Korea–U.S. alliance, strong independent defense, and practical, national-interest diplomacy, we will strengthen our status and role as a 'global responsible power.'"
He also stressed the governing principle of "normalizing the abnormal." He said, "We will strictly crack down on livelihood crimes that disrupt market order, such as stock price manipulation and real estate crimes, and will carry out structural reform tasks to dismantle privileges without wavering."
He added, "We will implement proactive and meticulous administration that protects the public with a 'seamless and thick social safety mattress,'" and said, "We will build a system that prioritizes the people's lives and safety across all areas of state affairs, including finance, welfare, labor, healthcare, public safety, and disaster response."
Lee emphasized, "The only standard for governing is 'the people's lives,'" adding, "I will run with all my might every single day as if it were the last day of my term."