hankyoreh

President Yoon Suk-yeol greets lawmakers after his first policy speech to the National Assembly on May 16. (pool photo)

President Yoon Suk-yeol urged closer cooperation across party lines and repeated his support for sending North Korea aid during his first policy speech at the National Assembly on Monday.

“We have a proud history of overcoming crises through cooperation across party lines in the face of the people’s livelihood, despite fierce competition between the ruling and opposition parties,” the president said.

Yoon also expressed his willingness to provide North Korea with humanitarian assistance. “If the North Korean authorities accept, we will not spare any necessary aid, such as medicine including COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment, and healthcare personnel,” he said.

Citing issues such as financial market uncertainty, inflation, and North Korean missile tests, Yoon stressed the need for cooperation between all political sides.

“The seriousness of the crises and challenges we are facing requires more than ever stronger bipartisan cooperation that transcends camps and factions,” Yoon said, adding that he would hold discussions with parliamentary leaders and lawmakers not just on budget issues or bills but also on major national issues.

“Now more than ever, in the Republic of Korea, we need a partnership like that of Churchill and Attlee, who willingly joined hands to overcome a common crisis despite holding different political values,” Yoon said, making reference to the UK’s situation during World War II.

Yoon also requested the prompt passage of the 59.4 trillion won supplementary budget bill, which includes compensation for losses for the self-employed and small business owners affected by COVID-19.

“The supplementary budget plan includes important projects for compensating small business owners for losses and stabilizing the lives of ordinary people,” Yoon said. “Considering that stabilizing the people's livelihood is more urgent than ever, I sincerely ask for the cooperation of the National Assembly so that the extra budget can be finalized as soon as possible,” he said.

“I would like to request you, respected lawmakers, to help with the supplementary budget bill as well as other national issues,” Yoon added while also calling for the confirmation of prime minister nominee Han Duck-soo.

In his speech, Yoon mentioned “parliamentarism” four times and “cooperation across party lines” three times. This was different from his inaugural address on May 10, in which he made no mention of things like cooperation or integration.

Regarding North Korea, where the COVID-19 has been spreading rampantly, Yoon expressed his willingness to send aid, including vaccines.

“We must not hold back on providing necessary assistance to the North Korean people, who are exposed to the threat of the coronavirus,” Yoon said, adding that his government has repeatedly stated its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to the North regardless of political or military issues surrounding inter-Korean relations.

Yoon also selected pension, labor and education as three major reform tasks.

“If pension, labor and education reforms are not implemented now, the sustainability of our society will come under threat,” Yoon said, underscoring that the reforms cannot be delayed any longer. However, he did not reveal specific directions other than for the labor sector, for which Yoon mentioned the need for “reform in line with global standards.”

Regarding the Korea-US summit scheduled to take place in Seoul on May 21, President Yoon said he will discuss ways to strengthen the global supply chain cooperation through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which is meant to keep China in check. The president said that “various economic and security issues will be included in the agenda.”

By Seo Young-ji, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]