President Moon Jae-in announces national tasks for the year 2021 during his New Year’s address on Jan. 11. (Photo on the courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae website)

President Moon Jae-in said, “Inter-Korean cooperation on its own can achieve many things.” During the fifth and final year in office, President Moon made his commitment to inter-Korean cooperation clear in areas such as health.

In his New Year’s address, President Moon said, “We have awakened to the fact that we are closely connected with each other after suffering from infectious livestock diseases, emerging infectious diseases and natural disasters.”

“We are in the same boat in regard to many issues,” he said. “For the survival and safety of both South and North Koreans, we have to find ways to cooperate.”

President Moon said, “The key driving force of the Korean Peninsula peace process is dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation. Our determination to meet at any time and any place and talk even in a contact-free manner remains unchanged.”

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of South and North Korea simultaneously joining the United Nations. The two Koreas should join hands and together prove that a peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula can also contribute to the international community. A peaceful Peninsula free of war and nuclear weapons is what we are obliged to pass down to the Korean people and posterity,” he said.

“The government will strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance in step with the launch of the Biden Administration. At the same time, we will make our final effort to achieve a major breakthrough in the stalled North Korea-U.S. talks and inter-Korean dialogue,” he said.

President Moon painted an optimistic picture on the outlook of the national economy, saying, “The end of the dark tunnel is now finally in sight.”

“This year, we will leap forward as a pace-setting nation in the new era by fully restoring daily routines and achieving a fast and strong economic recovery,” he said.

“More than anything else, it is important to accomplish an inclusive recovery that eases the disparities deepened further by COVID-19.”

President Moon said, “In 2020, the world economy also experienced the worst recession since the Great Depression. Our economy could not avoid negative growth either.”

“The year 2021 will be a year for recovery, a year for inclusiveness and a year for resurgence,” he said.

President Moon said, “We have also curbed the spread of the virus as much as possible without imposing a lockdown and emerged as one of the most exemplary countries among OECD members in the fight against COVID-19. All of these are invaluable achievements made possible by our people that no one can disparage.”

“With the highest growth rate among the OECD members last year, the Korean economy is projected to join the world’s top ten in terms of GDP. Moreover, our per capita income is anticipated to surpass that of a G7 member state for the first time in history,” he said.

“Korea’s benchmark stock index KOSPI exceeded the 3,000-point mark for the first time in 14 years after breaking the 2,000-point mark, recording the sharpest rise among the markets in the OECD. All of this points to a bright outlook for the Korean economy even amid crises,” he said.

“Our most urgent task is to rapidly go back to normal routines free of masks. It is imperative to effectively get past this last critical juncture in epidemic prevention and control that has been showing signs of gradual improvement,”

President Moon said, He said, “Together with the people, the government will do everything possible to put an end to the third wave of COVID-19 infections at the earliest date possible.” Vaccinations can start next month. We will see to it that all citizens will be inoculated free of charge, starting with those prioritized,” he said.

President Moon said, “It is truly regrettable that housing-related hardships have immensely disappointed the people. We will never hesitate to devise measures necessary to stabilize housing. In particular, with a focus on expanding supply, we will quickly work out various housing supply plans that can take effect immediately.”

“The full-fledged implementation of the Korean New Deal will bring about changes in every corner of the country. We will nurture new talented individuals, and new growth engines and decent jobs will be created. The Digital and Green new deals will change the quality of the people’s lives.”