[속보] President Yoon “Complete the four major reforms no matter what difficulties”…Prime Minister reads the administration speech

Absent from attending the city administration speech for the first time in 11 years… Prime Minister Han Deok-soo’s reading

“The pension reform plan has begun… “Expectation for discussion and legislation in the National Assembly.”

“Please pass the National Assembly Government Organization Act to launch the Ministry of Population.”

Speaker of the National Assembly: “Rejecting the president’s address is a violation of people’s rights”

2025 budget and fund management plan at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Yonhap News”/>

Prime Minister Han Deok-soo is giving a speech on the 2025 budget and fund management plan at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Yonhap News

President Yoon Seok-yeol did not attend the 2025 budget speech held at the National Assembly on the 4th. This is the first time in 11 years that the President has not attended a State of the Nation address. Instead, President Yoon emphasized the need for the government’s four major reforms (pension, labor, education, and medical care) and requested cooperation from the National Assembly.

In a speech on the 2025 budget and fund management plan read by Prime Minister Han Deok-soo at the plenary room of the National Assembly, President Yoon said, “The four major reforms are critical tasks that must be done immediately for the survival of the country,” and “The government will not face any difficulties.” “Even if this happens, we will definitely complete the four major reforms,” he said.

President Yoon said, “In order to continue the prosperity of the Republic of Korea and open a sustainable future, the most important thing is structural reform of our society,” and said that cooperation from the National Assembly is needed to realize the reform task.

President Yoon said, “Last September, we presented a single government-level pension reform plan,” adding, “The government plan is the starting point and reference point for discussion. “I hope that a structure for discussion at the National Assembly will be established as soon as possible, so that social consensus can be reached and legislation can be enacted as soon as possible,” he said. President Yoon also said that a local era must be opened to overcome the low birth rate crisis. “The population crisis can be wisely overcome only when the government, the National Assembly, and the people come together and make concerted efforts.” He added, “The Population Strategy Planning Department can be launched quickly.” “I ask that the National Assembly quickly pass related bills, including the Government Organization Act, so that this can happen,” he said.

President Yoon said that the total expenditure in the 2025 government budget is 677 trillion won, a 3.2% increase from this year, and said, “We will focus on supporting four major areas: expanding customized welfare for the weak, spreading economic vitality, improving the economic structure to prepare for the future, a safe society, and global diplomacy.” “It is,” he said. Specifically, he mentioned the introduction of a national advance payment system for child support, expansion of support for small business owners, reorganization of research and development (R&D) investment, creation of a K-defense export fund, and expansion of maternity leave.

President Yoon said, “The recent international security situation and the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia pose a great threat to our security,” and added, “We will examine all possibilities and prepare thorough countermeasures.” “We will protect our security even more strongly and securely so that our citizens can feel at ease,” he said.

President Yoon said, “In the past two and a half years since the inauguration of the government, difficulties inside and outside the country have been so great that there has not been a single day of peace.” He added, “We have taken two and a half years to restore the dynamism of our economy and solve the difficulties of people’s livelihood in the face of internal and external crises.” “I ran without stopping,” he said.

President Yoon continued, “Next year’s budget prepared by the government has been prepared with a top priority on supporting people’s livelihoods, with a focus on improving the constitution and structural reform for a leap forward,” and added, “We will make sure that next year’s budget is executed in a timely manner to provide help to the people.” “I ask you to confirm the budget within the deadline,” he said.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik said ahead of the city administration speech on this day, “It is courtesy to the people and respect for the National Assembly that the president directly delivers the city administration speech. “That is the perception of the people,” he said, adding, “It is not appropriate for the president to refuse to give a city administration speech without an unavoidable reason.” “The public must have been greatly disappointed,” he said. Chairman Woo said, “The people have the right to directly hear the president’s thoughts, and the president has a responsibility to report to the people,” and added, “The president’s refusal to give a speech is a violation of the rights of the people. “As the head of the National Assembly, I express strong regret,” he said.