President Lee Jae-myung's New Year's Address "In the New Year, we will achieve a great leap forward through a grand transformation"

Emphasis on local-led growth rather than Seoul Metropolitan Area-centered growth

From an employment-centered society to a startup-centered society

Seeking restoration of inter-Korean relations as a 'pacemaker'

President Lee Jae-myung presented five 'paths of grand transformation' as the way to achieve a great leap forward in his New Year's address.

In the New Year's address released on the 1st, President Lee said, "We will surely achieve a sweeping leap and growth in all areas—politics, economy, society, culture, diplomacy, and security." He noted that "thanks to the unity of the people, we were able to restore the collapsed livelihood economy and democracy much faster than expected."

However, he added, "we have only just reached the starting line," and emphasized, "since we are later than others, we must now run faster." He also promised, "I will make this year a year of vigorous running like a red horse, and the 'first year of the Republic of Korea's great leap forward.' I will open the full-fledged 'time of fruition' beyond the 'time of recovery' that contains the people's patience and efforts."

Regarding the methodology for the great leap forward, the president said, "We must completely change the paradigm of growth. A grand transformation onto a new path, not the familiar old road, is the shortcut to leading the Republic of Korea's great leap into a new future," and presented five 'paths of grand transformation.'

First, the president said, "We will make a grand transformation from 'Seoul Metropolitan Area-centered growth' to 'local-led growth,'" and added, "Seoul will be the economic capital, the central region will be the administrative capital, and the southern region will be the maritime capital, using the national territory of the Republic of Korea more widely in a multi-polar system."

Next, he said, "We will transform from growth centered on some large conglomerates to 'growth for all' that shares opportunities and fruits broadly," explaining, "the collective achievements made by the community's capabilities and the efforts of all the people must flow down to small and venture companies and fill the pockets of the people."

He also stressed, "In line with the shift from an employment-centered society to a startup-centered society, we will generously support young entrepreneurs so they can challenge freely and boldly and pioneer the path of innovation to their heart's content." The president mentioned, "We will make a grand transformation from growth that disregards life and treats risk as natural to sustainable growth that has safety as a basic principle."

He further said, "We will transform from growth that emphasizes only products to attractive growth led by culture," and emphasized, "to prevent K-culture from remaining a temporary fad, we will devote all efforts to enriching the entire cultural ecosystem, including foundational arts that serve as its roots."

He also touched on the Korean Peninsula peace process. The president said, "We will make a grand transformation from insecure growth that lives under the threat of war to stable growth underpinned by peace." He added, "This year as well, as a 'pacemaker' we will actively support North America–North Korea dialogue and repeatedly seek the restoration of inter-Korean relations," and said, "we will take a meaningful step toward peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula based on the Korea-US alliance that has evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance and strong self-reliant defense."

Finally, the president stressed, "This year, the people-sovereignty government will respond more faithfully to the people's urgent question of 'If the state becomes prosperous, will my life also improve?' We will be a government that makes the next 4 years and 5 months more anticipated than the past 7 months."

He also said, "We will not avoid the process of reforms whose immediate results are not visible." He continued, "I know well that all these arduous and great tasks are possible only on the foundation of national unity and firm public trust," and vowed, "As 'the president of all the people,' I will carry out state affairs with a more humble attitude."

Park Subin, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com