President Yoon Suk Yeol on Aug. 17 holds a news conference at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu District on his 100th day in office. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Eun-young

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Aug. 17 said, "The most important thing in national governance is first the people's will and second the people's will," adding, "I will examine the people's will to not miss a single breath from them and not deviate from their will even by an inch."

In a morning news conference at the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District on his 100th day in office, he said, "My administration and I will place the highest priority on the state of the people's livelihood and pour all of our strength into securing growth engines for our economy and future industries."

"Amid the crisis situation of expanding instability in the global economy, the Korean government has strived to advance industry and develop future strategy industries to find growth opportunities," he said. "Following global standards, we have normalized our economic basis focused on the private sector, market and lower-income earners."

"While chairing a meeting on strategies for regulation and innovation, I will push for bold reform of regulations that hinder progress and growth."

On science and technology, President Yoon said, "We will foster talent and consolidate the foundation for the semiconductor, space and bio industries."

"To maintain an insurmountable technological edge in semiconductors, the crux of future industries and a national security asset, we announced a strategy for becoming a semiconductor superpower. This strategy encompasses corporations, labor, technology, and materials, components and equipment."

"We have scrapped the policy to shut down nuclear power and revived our nuclear power sector, which is world class," he added. "We will move up as much as possible the date for the resumption of construction for the Shin-Hanul Nos. 3 and 4 nuclear reactors."

Turning to diplomacy and national security, he said, "We have reinforced and renormalized the bilateral alliance with the U.S. based on universal values and the norm of freedom, human rights and rule of law," adding, "We have swiftly pushed ahead with restoring Korea-Japan relations, which had deteriorated."

As the main accomplishments of his administration so far, the chief executive cited his attendance at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, defense exports to Poland, the successful launch of the nation's first lunar orbiter Nuri, and the resumption of flights between Gimpo International Airport in Seoul and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan.

The news conference began at 10 a.m. and lasted 54 minutes, 14 minutes longer than scheduled.

President Yoon gave a speech for 20 minutes, followed by his Q&A with reporters.

He took 12 questions over 34 minutes.

No topic was off limits.

Presidential spokesperson Kang In-sun selected which reporters could ask the president questions.

Because who could ask questions was not decided in advance, many reporters raised their hands.

The 120-seat venue was packed with both domestic and foreign reporters.

President Yoon shook hands with every reporter at the news conference before leaving.

eykim86@korea.kr