[On-site Video+] Han Deok-soo, "The appointment of special prosecutors and constitutional judges, the ruling and opposition parties should put their heads together."

[Anchor]
The government held a Cabinet meeting presided over by acting President Han Deok-soo and began deliberation and resolution procedures on bills handed over from the National Assembly.

However, the opposition party did not propose the Insurrection Special Prosecutor Act and the Special Prosecutor Kim Gun-hee Act, which are demanding promulgation today.

Let's listen to acting Han Deok-soo's opening remarks.

[Han Deok-soo / Acting President]
Christmas is just a day away. Regardless of religion and living conditions, it is time for all the people to spend a comfortable and full time organizing the year, preparing for the New Year.This year, many people are anxious because the political situation is difficult and internal and external uncertainties are growing. I'm sorry and heartbroken. The government is focusing its efforts on stable state administration, especially protecting the economy. There are many people who are concerned that red flags are being turned on throughout our economy. In economics, psychology is important in many cases.

The government is doing everything in its power to remove uncertainties from external economic causes so that people's consumer sentiment, domestic demand sentiment, and business sentiment do not shrink more than necessary. The export front, the pillar of our economy, is still solid. If current trends continue, a trade surplus is expected for the 19th consecutive month through December.

However, the tension cannot be let go recently, such as a rise in the exchange rate, an oversupply from China, and increased trade risks following the launch of a new U.S. government. Related ministries, such as the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, are urged to immediately resolve on-site difficulties and usually make every effort to minimize uncertainty so that Korean companies can focus on exports without shaking.

Resolving legislative uncertainty is also very important to facilitate corporate investment. All members of the State Council should do their best to cooperate closely with the National Assembly so that bills directly related to corporate investment, such as the Special Act on Semiconductors, the Basic Act on Artificial Intelligence, and the Special Act on the Power Grid, can be processed as soon as possible. Please actively communicate with the National Assembly to come up with reasonable measures regarding bills that companies are concerned about side effects, such as amendments to the Commercial Act.

The government's policy measures, such as fiscal, tax, and regulatory innovation, must also be bolder and more active than ever. All ministries should thoroughly prepare for next year's budget to be executed intensively in the first half of the year, and the financial authorities should take additional measures if necessary. The 2024 tax code amendment will be promulgated after a cabinet meeting today. The revision of the tax law will expand support for small business owners and small and medium-sized businesses, including raising the yellow umbrella deduction income deduction limit, and lay the foundation for companies to promote investment employment, including extending the deadline for R&D and integrated investment tax credits.

In particular, the financial investment income tax will be completely abolished, the implementation of virtual asset taxation will be suspended for two years from 2025 to 2027, and it is expected to contribute to protecting domestic investors and revitalizing the capital market. I think it is a good example of the positive cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties in the midst of difficulties. I think we need to step up our efforts to make more of these cases.

The international community is looking at us every moment. To ensure that there are no concerns and uncertainties left in the eyes of the international community, the government consistently explains to the international community that the potential of the Korean economy is solid and that the Republic of Korea moves predictably in accordance with the Constitution and laws.

After today's Cabinet meeting, the government will appoint an ambassador for international financial cooperation, and will soon appoint an ambassador for international investment cooperation. The Ambassador for International Financial Cooperation will actively explain Korea's economic situation and policy direction to major countries and global credit rating agencies, and will focus on economic and diplomatic activities to manage Korea's external credibility. However, I think there is a clear limit to what the government can do alone without the cooperation of the political community and the understanding of the people. Even if diplomacy and security, security and administration, economy and finance roll flexibly, I think the core axis that unites all these fields is politics, and the essence of politics is to reconcile differences and unify the people.

I sincerely hope you will play that role. If politics doesn't do it, Korea can't overcome this crisis now. The ruling and opposition parties must put their heads together above all in order to wisely deal with pending issues that conflict legal interpretation and political views, such as the handling of the independent counsel law or the appointment of a judge of the Constitutional Court. I think the ruling and opposition parties should start by discussing and negotiating a compromise on how the majority of the people will understand that the special prosecution's promotion and appointment were carried out without any inclination in accordance with the Constitution and laws.

If the ruling and opposition parties do not make efforts to create a legal framework that both the investigator and the receiver can accept is fair, there is a high risk of growing distrust and hatred in the Republic of Korea. I am very much looking forward to the resolution of the Constitution and the law of the National Assembly, with Chairman Woo Won-sik at the center, and I firmly believe that he will do so.

That was the power of Korean politics that I saw and respected while working as a public official in the Republic of Korea for a long time. The new year is a week away. It's time to look back on the year and make a New Year's resolution. I think stable state administration is the last duty of my long public life. I will do my best to only look at the people and think about the people's livelihoods. I sincerely ask that the people trust the government, consume as usual, read family and acquaintances, and lead their daily lives.