Era of happiness, hope
The following is a summary of President Park Geun-hye’s inauguration speech. ― ED.
My fellow Koreans and 7 million fellow compatriots overseas,
As I take office as the 18th president of the Republic of Korea, I stand before you today determined to open a new era of hope.
I will live up to the will of the people by achieving economic rejuvenation, the happiness of the people, and the flourishing of our culture.
I will do my utmost in building a Republic of Korea that is prosperous and where happiness is felt by all Koreans.
The Korean saga that is often referred to as the miracle on the Han River was written on the heels of our citizens who worked tirelessly in the mines of Germany, in the torrid deserts of the Middle East, in factories and laboratories where the lights were never turned off, and in the freezing frontlines safeguarding our national defense.
I pledge to embark on the making of a second miracle on the Han River premised on a new era of hope hand-in-hand with the Korean people.
Economic revival
The new administration will usher in a new era of hope premised on a revitalizing economy, the happiness of our people, and the blossoming of our culture.
To begin with, economic revitalization is going to be propelled by a creative economy and economic democratization.
A creative economy is defined by the convergence of science and technology with industry, the fusion of culture with industry, and the blossoming of creativity.
I will raise our science and technology to world-class levels. And a creative economy will be brought to fruition by applying the results of such endeavors.
In order for a creative economy to truly blossom, economic democratization must be achieved.
I believe only when a fair market is firmly in place, everyone can dream of a better future and work to their fullest potential.
One of my critical economic goals is to ensure that anyone that works hard can stand on their own two feet through the support of policies designed to strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises.
By rooting out various unfair practices and rectifying the misguided habits of the past which have frustrated small business owners and small- and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide active support to ensure that everyone can live up to their fullest potential, regardless of where they work or what they do for a living.
It is on this foundation that I will breathe new energy into our economy and realize a second miracle on the Han River that culminates in the happiness of the Korean people.
Happiness of the people
No matter how much the country advances, such gains would be meaningless if the lives of the people remain insecure.
A genuine era of happiness is only possible when we aren’t clouded by the uncertainties of aging and when bearing and raising children is truly considered a blessing.
No citizen should be left to fear that he or she might not be able to meet the basic requirements of life.
A new paradigm of tailored welfare will free citizens from anxieties and allow them to prosper in their own professions, maximize their potential, and also contribute to the nation’s development.
We need to provide active support so that education brings out the best of an individual’s latent abilities and we need to establish a new system that fosters national development.
Our educational system will be improved so that students can discover their talents and strengths, and fulfill their precious dreams and are judged on those bases.
The new government will focus its efforts on building a safe society where women, people with disabilities, or anyone else for that matter, can feel at ease as they carry on with their lives, no matter where they are in the country.
A flourishing culture
In the 21st century, culture is power. It is an era where an individual’s imagination becomes creative content.
Across the world, the Korean wave is welcomed with great affection.
The new administration will elevate the sanctity of our spiritual ethos so that they can permeate every facet of society and in so doing, enable all of our citizens to enjoy a life enriched by culture.
We will harness the innate value of culture to heal social conflicts and bridge cultural divides separating different regions, generations, and social strata.
Creative activities across wide-ranging genres will be supported, while the content industry, which merges culture with advanced technology, will be nurtured. In so doing, we will ignite the engine of a creative economy and create new jobs.
Happiness can only flourish when people feel comfortable and secure. I pledge to you today that I will not tolerate any action that threatens the lives of our people and the security of our nation.
North Korea’s recent nuclear test is a challenge to the survival and future of the Korean people, and there should be no mistake that the biggest victim will be none other than North Korea itself.
I urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay and embark on the path to peace and shared development.
It is my sincere hope that North Korea can progress together as a responsible member of the international community instead of wasting its resources on nuclear and missile development and continuing to turn its back on the world in self-imposed isolation.
There is no doubt that we are faced today with an extremely serious security environment but neither can we afford to remain where we are.
Through a trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula, I intend to lay the groundwork for an era of harmonious unification where all Koreans can lead more prosperous and freer lives and where their dreams can come true.
I will move forward step by step on the basis of credible deterrence to build trust between the South and the North.
Trust can be built through dialogue and by honoring promises that have already been made. It is my hope that North Korea will abide by international norms and make the right choice so that the trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula can move forward.
To ease tensions and conflicts and further spread peace and cooperation in Asia, I will work to strengthen trust with countries in the region.
I will earn the trust of the people by ensuring that our government remains clean, transparent and competent. I will endeavor to shed popular distrust of the government and strive to elevate the capital of trust.
I ask that you place your trust in me and my government, and join us on the path to a new future.
Let us all work together towards a new era of happiness and hope, so that we can all become partners in another miracle or a new chapter in the miracle on the Han River.
Thank you very much.