Diplomacy Journal shJung 기자 | President Lee Jae-myung said on the 9th, "This year's economic growth rate

is expected to be around 2%, slightly exceeding the potential growth rate."

 

 

Presiding over the "2026 Economic Growth Strategy National Briefing" at the Blue House that afternoon,

President Lee stated, "This year must be the first year of the Republic of Korea's great leap forward, achieving growth in all sectors."

 

President Lee noted, "This year marks the first year in which the Lee Jae-myung administration has taken

actual responsibility for economic management." He added, "Fortunately, last year, we revitalized the collapsed

economy and prepared for full-scale growth."

 

He added, "This administration's strong commitment is to achieving an economic leap forward where all

citizens can share in the expectations and fruits of growth as the nation grows." He added, "In particular,

I believe that normalization policies, such as fostering semiconductors, will further strengthen our economy's

strengths and propel us to a new leap forward."

 

Regarding economic conditions, he said, "We are currently facing a significant challenge, the so-called K-shaped growth, which is different from the past." He added, "If we look only at the external appearance and indicators, our economy will certainly improve compared to last year, but there is a high possibility that many citizens will not be able to sense the change."

 

He continued, "Above all, the income inequality and so-called growth polarization emerging during this

process are not simply differences in economic conditions, but structural questions posed by the economic

system

that must be taken seriously." He emphasized, "We must do our utmost to ensure that the opportunities and fruits of economic growth are shared by everyone, not just a select few."

 

Regarding youth issues, President Lee stated, "The fact that the shadow of K-shaped growth is concentrated

on the young generation, the ones who will shoulder the future, goes beyond youth issues and threatens the

long-term future growth engine of the Korean economy."

 

He added, "If national growth and corporate profits do not lead to jobs and opportunities for young people,

that society cannot be considered healthy.

 

Over 400,000 young people, pushed out of the labor market, are being demanded by companies for career

experience, yet no one is taking responsibility for their starting point."

 

The president said, "I am worried that the next generation will despair of the current situation and

lose all hope," and added, "We must recognize the reality of our youth being pushed to the edge of a cliff in employment as a national crisis and prepare special measures that mobilize all national capabilities."

 

He then urged the government to "fundamentally reexamine whether current policies are sufficient and, based on policy imagination unbound by existing frameworks, swiftly respond to devise effective measures."

President Lee concluded by saying, "We must strengthen our policy efforts to ensure that everyone shares in

the fruits of growth achieved through this great leap forward and that all citizens grow together as the nation grows."

 

He added, "I urge all ministries to give meticulous consideration to youth, small and medium-sized

enterprises, and local communities, ensuring that they are given top priority in all policies."