Do Je-hae edits news stories as part of the AI team.
Moon calls for Assembly's support in opening speech
President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech to mark the opening of the 21st National Assembly, Thursday. Yonhap
By Do Je-hae
President pledges all-out efforts to fight property speculation
By Do Je-hae
President Moon Jae-in has stressed the importance of cooperation between the ruling and opposition blocs in order to overcome socio-economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to carry out other state affairs smoothly.
He made the request at the National Assembly during a speech to mark the official opening of the 21st Assembly, Thursday, while emphasizing its role in state affairs and underlining his resolve to push for new growth initiatives in the post-coronavirus world.
Moon initially planned to give the speech earlier last month, but it was delayed due to the parties' rivalry over contentious issues, such as the appointment of the heads of the Assembly's standing committees. The new Assembly, elected through the April general election, was inaugurated May 30 and it has taken 48 days for the official opening ceremony to take place ― the longest delay since 1987.
“The 21st National Assembly must end its politics of confrontation and hostility and open an era of cooperation,” Moon said. “Cooperation is all the more urgent during the current global crisis and upheaval. The Assembly is urged to respond to the people's desire for bipartisan cooperation in overcoming the national crisis, and actively engage in policy competition.
“Furthermore, the 21st National Assembly has been entrusted with a mission to create a world-leading country. I urge the Assembly to take a leading role in accomplishing national unity which is essential to this historic task,” Moon added.
A big part of the speech was devoted to underlining his resolve to overcome the economic crisis with his “Korean New Deal,” which will create new jobs and raise the competitiveness of the digital sector through an investment of 160 trillion won ($130 billion) by 2025.
President Moon arrives at the National Assembly, Thursday. Yonhap
“We already have global competitiveness in the digital field. We have the skills and capabilities to lead the digital revolution. If we combine our digital capabilities into all industries, our economy can be reborn as a leading economy,” Moon said.
The President also pledged to do his utmost to stabilize housing prices and fight property speculation, apparently in response to the recent negative public opinion on the government's real estate policy which has only helped housing prices rise.
“We will take every measure to prevent speculation and stabilize housing prices. By increasing the property tax for people owning multiple homes and transfer tax margins, we will make it clear that it is no longer possible to make a profit out of real estate speculation,” Moon said.
He urged the Assembly to establish relevant laws so the government's policy can be implemented.
The President also underscored the Assembly's cooperation for promoting inter-Korean cooperation. He urged the Assembly to guarantee the “irreversibility” of peace on the Korean Peninsula and institutionalize achievements made at inter-Korean summits ― calling on it to ratify the Panmunjeom Declaration which Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced after their first summit in April 2018.
“We will make efforts to carry out the three principles agreed upon by the two Koreas ― no war, a security guarantee and co-prosperity,” Moon said. “If the Assembly guarantees the irreversibility of peace on the Korean Peninsula, it will lead to a stronger foundation for peace.”