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Current Korea · Written by Sohn Ji-ae Photo courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
Two Years On
Marking the second anniversary of his presidency in May, President Moon Jae-in has
achieved a lot yet still faces challenges on the political and economic fronts.
He says he remains determined, however, to secure a sound
foundation to realize his vision for the nation.
President Moon Jae-in on March 22 talks with vendors at the Chilseong Market in Daegue.
A little over two years ago, chants from masses of protesters resonated across Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Hundreds of thousands of Koreans holding candles demanded the removal of the corrupt Park Geun-hye administration from power, seeking change and a true democracy.
Two years have passed since the Moon Jae-in administration came into office amid the so-called Candlelight Revolution to answer such calls for change.
Over the years, President Moon has done his best to build the kind of country the people have longed for, a nation of justice and fairness. He has pursued from the get-go a campaign to root out corruption and ensure that everyone in Korea can secure a decent job through a fair process under a just government.
In the processing of fulfilling these pledges, President Moon has increased his engagement not only with citizens, but with businesses and even the media to make their voices heard and reflect their opinions in his policies. The government also runs a petition site so that it can listen more carefully to the people¡¯s concerns and opinions.
Pursuit of Balanced Lifestyle and Peace
Among other things, President Moon has focused on improving quality of life for the people. His bold push to reduce weekly working hours and raise the minimum wage has led to more work-life balance in a country with one of the world¡¯s longest workweeks.
In inter-Korean relations, the president¡¯s summit diplomacy with North Korea is seen by the world as one of his stellar achievements. His ability to facilitate three inter-Korean summits and mediate two high-level meetings between the U.S. and the North are an impressive testament to his persistence and determination, as well as his diplomatic prowess.
Thanks to his unprecedented approach toward North Korean issues, years of hostility with Pyeongyang have ended and a new era of peace has arrived on the Korean Peninsula.
President Moon Jae-in on May 5 celebrates Children¡¯s Day with a group of children he welcomed at Cheong Wa Dae.
Key Challenges
Beginning the third year of his single five-year term this year, President Moon faces key challenges on both the economic and diplomatic fronts. Public discontent has grown, especially over the slower-than-expected pace of job creation.
The president suggested as a possible solution ¡°innovative growth,¡± saying, ¡°We need to seek and nurture new growth engines like non-memory chips, biohealth and next-generation cars.¡±
Stalled nuclear negotiations with the North are his other major challenge. Since the Feb. 28 summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, between the U.S. and North Korea ended with no agreement, little progress has been made in the denuclearization of Pyeongyang. Worse, the North recently conducted a series of weapon tests that raised tensions in its ties with the U.S.
A determined President Moon, however, pledged all-out efforts to bring Washington and Pyeongyang back to dialogue as soon as possible. ¡°This is because it¡¯s the only method that will produce the ultimate resolution to all the issues,¡± he said.
With three years remaining in his term, the chief executive faces a crucial period to prove himself yet again. The people hope that his policies produce more concrete results that make a real difference in their lives.
¡°I promise that by the time my presidential term ends, the people will feel that their long-awaited era has finally come, an era of a fair and better nation and an era of peace,¡± he said.
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