Ten Essential National Tasks for the President: What Changes Do the People Want?

A Korea filled with justice and empathy

As South Korea enters a new era with a new president, the citizens harbor a deep desire for a better society. In particular, they hope that the leader will be a warm companion who understands the pain of the people and dreams alongside them. To this end, ten key tasks have been compiled, reflecting the voices of civil society, experts, and ordinary citizens, hoping that the new president will realize them. These are not merely promises but urgent demands of the people and are seen as commitments for the future of South Korea. Each task will play a crucial role in creating a better society that the citizens want.

Prosecutorial and Judicial Reform

South Korea has experienced conflicts due to the monopoly and abuse of power by the prosecution. The prosecution should originally be an institution for the people, but it has faced criticism for variances in indictment and investigation depending on specific regimes. There is a demand for prosecution reform to restore the principle of equality before the law, ensuring the independence of the prosecution and achieving fair rule of law through the separation of indictment and investigative powers. The judiciary must also free itself from political influence, requiring institutional mechanisms to guarantee the independence of judges. The new president will need to recognize power institutions as tools for achieving fair justice and push for reform.

Media Reform

The media is essential to democracy. However, the media in South Korea has lost the trust of the public by fearing political power and distorting the truth. The new president must reform the governance structure of public broadcasting to ensure political independence and strengthen freedom of expression for journalists. Additionally, in order to address the issues of misinformation and fake news in the digital media environment, it is necessary to enhance the responsibilities of platform companies and expand civic media education to create a society where the truth has power.

Identify and eradicate insurrectionist forces

The attempt to declare a state of emergency in 2024 delivered a historical shock and engrained in the public the necessity of protecting democracy. An impartial investigation is required into acts that undermine the constitution, such as conspiracy to commit insurrection, without any political considerations. The new president must declare that they will not tolerate unconstitutional attempts within the power structure in order to safeguard democracy, and such a firm stance will be the way to restore the public's trust.

Introduction of basic income and revitalization of local currency

At a time when inequality and polarization are deepening, basic income should establish itself as an important safety net that guarantees the right of all citizens to live a dignified life. Basic income will especially be a great support for the youth, the elderly, and low-income individuals. Additionally, local currency can be the key to revitalizing the local economy, enabling money to circulate within the community and thereby energizing the community. The new president must lead to social consensus to make these policies feasible.

Responding to the climate crisis and sustainable growth

The climate crisis is no longer someone else's problem, but a reality that directly affects our daily lives. A national transition is necessary to address the climate crisis, and a long-term vision, such as the 2050 carbon-neutral goal, is important. Expansion of renewable energy and environmentally friendly industrial development are essential, and support for low-income groups and small businesses through just transition policies is urgent. Such policies can be seen as a necessary responsibility for future generations.

Balanced National Development and Strengthening Local Autonomy

South Korea currently has all its resources concentrated in Seoul and the metropolitan area, leading to inadequate regional development. This imbalance has caused the outflow of the youth population and poses a risk of regional extinction. Balanced development is an essential strategy for the sustainable growth of the entire nation. The new president must implement various policies, such as relocating public institutions to rural areas and supporting local specialization, to address the concentration in the metropolitan area, and should move towards strengthening the autonomy of local governments.

Future Strategies for the Youth Generation

The current youth generation is endlessly building their credentials for survival, but this is leading to unstable employment and high housing costs. A national integrated strategy is needed to ensure that young people do not lose hope. Policies such as expanding youth housing supply and enhancing youth employment should be implemented, and opportunities for young people to participate in the policy-making process should be increased. The new president should listen to the voices of the youth and become a leader who brings about substantial change.

Reform and Strengthening of the Health Care System

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how vulnerable our public healthcare system is. In the reality of insufficient essential medical services, there is an urgent need to expand public hospitals and realize the cost of essential medical care. We must improve the system so that all citizens in need of medical care can receive treatment equally, and measures such as increasing health insurance coverage are necessary. The new president must actively work to create an equal healthcare environment that respects life and health.

Response to Fake News and Strengthening Information Reliability

The spread of fake news is a lethal factor that undermines democracy and social trust. The new president must respond rigorously to misinformation and establish laws and systems that strengthen the responsibility of platform companies. Additionally, it is essential to ensure citizens' access to information and assist them in discerning information properly through media education. A healthy information environment will serve as the foundation for social stability.

Strengthening Labor Rights and Protecting Platform Workers

Currently, many workers are suffering in inadequate working conditions without contracts. The new president must promote a comprehensive expansion of the Labor Standards Act and the legal recognition of platform workers' status to guarantee labor rights for all workers. Efforts are needed to improve working conditions and increase job security. Since labor is not just a cost but a matter of human life itself, we must create a society where all workers are respected.

As we conclude - We await a president who walks together with the people.

The ten tasks outlined in this article are urgent demands to improve the lives of the citizens. The new president must be dedicated to efforts for a trustworthy media and economic stability based on a fair rule of law, as well as the protection of democracy. The path taken together by the citizens and the president can create new changes. The citizens are now prepared and expect the president to courageously lead the start of that change.