February 15, 2018

My fellow Koreans at home and abroad,
I send my best wishes to everyone in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year’s Day this year is all the more special because the PyeongChang Winter Olympics is underway and distinguished guests from around the world are joining in the celebration. Athletes in PyeongChang, now clad in traditional Korean attire of hanbok instead of sports jerseys, are becoming friends enjoying the traditional game of yut.
The South and North Korean athletes are exchanging warm greetings in Korean with each other. This is the so-long-awaited scene of Koreans’ most festive traditional holiday. I am deeply grateful to everyone for cheering wholeheartedly for the South and North Korean athletes who worked so hard to meet their challenges.

Fellow Koreans,
I am sure many of you have already been talking about the Olympics with your friends and relatives. Rejoicing at our athletes' great performance, you may share your dreams and hopes for the New Year, too.
I am also renewing my determination for the New Year. A happy country starts with a happy family. Every day we try to be as happy as we are on New Year's Day. The Government will endeavor to the best of its abilities to help such efforts bear fruit.
In this hopeful new year that begins during the Olympics, I hope there will be much laughter and happiness in your family. Happy New Year!