President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 1 delivers his New Year's speech at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Screen capture from President Lee's YouTube channel)

By Kim Hyelin

President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 1 said, "We will gallop powerfully like the Red Horse this year (2026) – the first year of a great leap forward for the Republic of Korea."

In his New Year's speech, he said, "Across all sectors – politics, the economy, society, culture, foreign affairs and national security – we will achieve a major leap forward and sustained growth without fail."

President Lee pledged to ensure that the fruits of such a leap should not be concentrated in a specific class.

"We will ensure that the fruits of growth achieved through this giant leap are shared by all, rather than monopolized by a privileged few," he said. "To this end, we will make all-out efforts to eliminate the rule-bending and unfair practices that persist throughout society and devote ourselves to building a society free of deceit and unjust privilege."

"The one and only standard for this great leap forward is the lives of the people," he added. "Building on the recovery forged through your perseverance and efforts, we will usher in a full-fledged era of fruition."

"We will ensure that the resplendent light of K-democracy, which repelled the darkness, warmly permeates the everyday lives of all citizens."

To realize such goals, he proposed moving from the core strategy of "compressed growth" to a five-direction transformation of growth methods: shift from the Seoul-centric model to regions; from a few large corporations to "growth for all" where opportunities and benefits are shared equitably; from a model disregarding human life to a sustainable one of safety first; from an exclusive focus on products to more attractive growth led by culture; and from unstable growth under the threat of war to stable growth underpinned by peace.

On "growth for all," President Lee said "the gains achieved through collective national effort must reach SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and startups and ultimately translate into tangible benefits for all citizens," mentioning the conclusion of tariff negotiations with the U.S. and expanded exports of the defense industry and nuclear power plants.

President Lee also reaffirmed his commitment to structural reform, saying, "We will not shy away from the process of reform, even if immediate results are not visible."

Last year, he told a Nov. 13 meeting of his aides and secretaries of his intent to pursue structural reform in six areas: regulation, finance, the public sector, pension, education and labor.

"I am well aware that this great, arduous task is only possible with a foundation of national unity and the unwavering trust of the people," he said. "As a 'President for all,' I will attend to state affairs with an even greater sense of humility."

As his key accomplishments in the economy since taking office, President Lee cited the main stock market surpassing 4,000 for the first time, exports setting an annual record of over USD 700 billion and concluding of tariff negotiations. In diplomacy and security, he mentioned the country's planned development of nuclear-powered submarines, expanded rights to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, and stronger alliance with the U.S. 

kimhyelin211@korea.kr