President Lee Jae Myung on June 8 speaks at a news conference marking his first year in office at the official guesthouse Yeongbingwan of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

By Margareth Theresia
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

"I will make 2026 the year to launch the bold dream of an 'irreplaceable Republic of Korea,' which no other country in the world can replace."

President Lee Jae Myung on June 8 said this at a news conference marking his first year in office at the official guesthouse Yeongbingwan of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul's Jongno-gu District, with around 160 reporters from home and abroad attending. He reflected on Year One of his "people's sovereignty government" and outlined his vision and priorities for his second year.

He first mentioned his achievements in overcoming crises in his first year.

"We have navigated three waves of crises: a crisis of democracy caused by insurrection and martial law; a crisis of trade and security brought on by upheavals in the global order; and a crisis in the people's livelihoods caused by the war in the Middle East," he said. "Thanks to the great strength of a united Republic of Korea even in the face of relentless crises, we have repeatedly affirmed our ability to overcome any difficulty."

President Lee then shifted to Korea's elevated status on the global stage.

"As I met leaders of various countries on the diplomatic stage over the past year and this year, I truly came to realize that the whole world is watching the Republic of Korea," he said. "The world is watching how Korea will respond to issues ranging from the major industrial transformation driven by artificial intelligence and climate crisis to the low birth rate, decline of rural communities, and worsening polarization and inequality."

President Lee Jae Myung on June 8 speaks at a news conference marking his first year in office at the official guesthouse Yeongbingwan of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

President Lee then presented his four goals for national governance.

"The first country to fully incorporate AI into industry and everyday life; the first partner for countries planning a self-reliant national defense; the most exemplary state in energy transition among non-oil-producing nations; the country with the most efficient use of its national territory in the world — we will make a powerful leap from a country that the world watches to one that the world truly needs," he said.

The first goal is "a super-gap industrial power."

"We will continuously identify and develop 'global super-gap growth engines' in industrial sectors other than semiconductors that will serve as the Republic of Korea's next-generation prosperity sources to ensure that all the people and regions in the country evenly enjoy the opportunities and benefits of growth," he said.

Second is "a global diplomatic and security power."

"I will do my best to ensure that the valuable diplomatic and security achievements of the past year like the revision of the bilateral nuclear energy agreement with the U.S., introduction of nuclear-powered submarines and pursuit of the early restoration of wartime operational control bear fruit," he said.

Third is a "normal society where the norms and rules agreed on by all the people are observed."

President Lee said, "I will resolutely redress any violations, privileges or injustices that undermine the people's lives -- no matter how trivial they might seem -- and work even more vigorously to restore normality in all corners of society."

The fourth and final objective is a "government that saves people's lives."

"I will pour all my efforts to protecting the lives of the people and ensure dignified lives for them," he said. "I will launch a system to prioritize the lives and safety of the people above all else in all sectors of national governance including finance, welfare, labor, healthcare, public safety and disaster response."

"The only criterion for national governance is nothing other than the lives of the people," he added. "We will be reborn as an 'innovative and pragmatic government' that is most proactive in responding to change to protect the lives of the people amid an era of great upheaval."

margareth@korea.kr