Youngsam Kim

Let's all go to a new Korea together

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Dear 70 million Korean compatriots!

President Roh Tae-woo, former presidents, and distinguished guests present here, we have gathered here today to open the era of civilian democracy that we have so desperately longed for. We had to wait 30 years to reach this day.

Finally, a government of the people, by the people, was established on this land. The government that is being created today is the result of the people’s burning desire for democracy and their sacred sacrifice. Today, in front of the National Assembly building, where my own aspirations and hardships for democracy are imbued, I have no way to suppress my overwhelming emotions.

Our people are truly great. I express my warm gratitude and honor to all of our citizens. I also bow my head along with the people in front of the noble sacrifice of the many people who sadly passed away without seeing this day in the difficult journey of democratization.

Citizens! As I take office as the 14th President, I feel with my whole body the calling of the times to build a new homeland.

Now in this land, the spirit of spring is stirring from deep within the earth's crust. In the past, our people had summers of reflection and winters of shrinking.

But now, a new spring of national prosperity is opening! They are asking us for a new decision and a new start!

I hold deep in my heart the dream of creating a new Korea. The new Korea is a freer and more mature democratic society. This is a society where justice flows like a river. It is a community where people live together in abundance.

Culture Life This is a country where human dignity is respected. It is a unified homeland where divided peoples become one and live in peace.

It is a country that stands tall at the center of a new civilization and contributes to world peace and human progress. A society where anyone can have fun working, a country where our descendants can be proud to have been born in this land, that is the new Korea!

Let us all have this dream! We are a people who achieved miracles from the ruins of colonialism and war. Let us march forward powerfully towards the world again!

Dear citizens! However, the circumstances surrounding us are not at all favorable to us. With the end of the Cold War, the world is changing into enemies and friends depending on trust. We have now entered the era of economic and technological warfare. If we do not properly respond to the changing world, we will collapse on the brink of becoming an advanced country. If you don't leap, you will fall behind!

It is a solemn matter of national survival. We must build up our stamina to run toward a new Korea. But now we are sick. I am suffering from Korean disease. Our diligence and creativity, which were once the envy of the world, are disappearing. Our society is being shaken by overturned values.

At some point, our people have been losing confidence. That's the problem. If we have a crisis, it does not come from an external challenge, but from this mental defeatism that is spreading within us . It can't go on like this! It has to be new!

We must overcome frustration and stagnation and open an era of courage and hope. We must change from closure and rigidity to an era of openness and vitality, and from conflict and confrontation to an era of dialogue and compromise. We must move from a society of distrust to a society of trust, from a society that puts only myself first to a society in which we live together. This is the direction of change and reform that I am talking about. We need to change not only the system but also our consciousness and behavior patterns. If we avoid change and reform, we will be turned away from history.

Dear citizens! Reform must first begin with the implementation of three immediate tasks. The first is to eradicate corruption! Second, it is a way to revive the economy! Third is to correct national discipline!

Corruption in our society is the most fearsome enemy that eats away at our country from the inside out. There can be no sanctuary in the fight against corruption. There will never be a sanctuary! You must resolutely cut off what needs to be cut off and cut out what needs to be cut out!

Reforms from above will soon begin. However, corruption cannot be eradicated without every citizen making efforts to clean themselves. The realization of a clean society can only be achieved through the hands of our citizens.

Next, we must restore economic vitality. To that end, the government will guarantee autonomy and competition instead of regulation and protection. We will respect the creativity of the private sector. The government will first tighten its belt. People need to be more frugal and save more. Luxury and waste must be banished. Companies must win international competition through bold technological innovation.

We can save the economy only when the government, citizens, workers, and companies all work together with excitement! This is the new economy I advocate for.

Dear citizens, we must re-establish national discipline, which has been torn apart. When power is gained through corrupt means, the legitimacy of the country is violated and law and order collapse. Expediency, where procedures are ignored for the sake of the purpose, becomes rampant.

There will never be another political night on this earth . Also, our society needs to regain the authority it deserves! Our freedom must be freedom for the community.

As teacher Baek Beom said, it should not be the freedom to pick flowers in the park, but the freedom to plant them.

We must raise up morals that have fallen to the ground. In this respect, today's education must be human education that fosters humane people and democratic citizens along with science and technology education that prepares for the future. This is my new education!

Citizens, starting today, the government will change. Now, the Blue House will become a workplace where people work day and night to protect the lives and property of the people and ensure the nation's safety and prosperity!

The Blue House will become a friendly neighbor to the people. I will be with the people at their workplaces, where they experience joy and suffering!

We will rejoice and suffer together with the people. This is because the more you share joy, the bigger it becomes, and the more pain you share, the smaller it becomes. Politics must also change.

It should not be politics for politics' sake, but politics for daily life that brings hope and happiness to the people. Politics that alleviates the inconveniences of the people We need politics that listens to the small voices of the people.

When the government and politics change like this, living stability through change and reform will be established in this land!

Dear citizens, let us open wide the door to a new era through justice and reconciliation. In the past, we were protected by class, opposed by region, divided by generation, and divided by ideology.

The walls within us must be broken down. Resentment must be released. There are too many people in our society who have been living in the shadows . They need to be comforted. Those who have more must give more! Those who are powerful must give up greater things!

However, let us not be too hasty in demanding only our share. First, let’s think about our community as a whole. And let us make a larger loaf so that we may have a larger portion.

70 million compatriots at home and abroad

I will do my best to achieve national reconciliation and unification by fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to me by history and the nation. However, what we need at this point is not sentimental unificationism . This is a national consensus on unification.

I speak to President Kim Il-sung . We must be willing to sincerely cooperate with each other. The world is moving toward an era of peace and cooperation, not confrontation.

Various cooperations are also taking place between different ethnic groups and countries. But no ally can be better than a nation. No ideology or imagination can bring greater happiness than a nation.

If Chairman Kim truly values ​​the nation and wants true reconciliation and unification of the compatriots of North and South Korea, we can meet anytime, anywhere to discuss this.

It's great at the foot of Hallasan Mountain on a warm spring day, and it's also great at the Cheonji Pond on Baekdu Mountain on a summer day. Let's open our hearts there and discuss the future of our nation. At that time, we will be able to solve all problems by standing at the starting point of being the same people.

To the 5 million overseas compatriots who live with national pride all over the world.

Within this century, our country will be unified and become a homeland of freedom and peace. Let us join forces at home and usher in an era of proud Korean people who fulfill their roles and responsibilities in the world!

My fellow citizens, the creation of a new Korea is not something that anyone can do. We all do it! Many new Koreans are attending this event today.

They are workers who work hard, farmers who earn money from new crops, students who study hard, scientists who are immersed in research, office workers who are busy developing markets, small business owners who succeed in developing new products, and soldiers who stay up all night to protect the country. no see. There are also public officials in this position who silently serve the people.

Those who do their best in their field are the main players and owners of the creation of a new Korea.

Let’s look at the world and the future, especially the young people of this land.

Let us move forward from the sidelines to participation, from criticism to creation.

The future is yours and New Korea is your world!

Citizens! Let us all have dreams and hopes for the future.

Let’s create a new Korea.

The creation of a new Korea cannot be achieved through the power of a single president or government alone. On the road to New Korea, you and I are not separate. There is only us. We must all do this together.

However, a new Korea will not be built overnight.

It takes patience and time. It takes tears and sweat!

There is pain. Let us all share the pain!

We can do it. It must be done. Now, let us all start anew with hopes and dreams.

Let’s run vigorously without a single person being left behind!

thank you

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February 25, 1993

President of the Republic of Korea Kim Young-sam