The inauguration... of the 20th President of South Korea...
took place... just a few hours...
earlier...
on this Tuesday...
at the National Assembly...
here... in capital Seoul.
My colleague...
Yoon Jung-min ... JOINS... me... now... live on the line.
Jung-min... you've been...
there...
since.
.. early this morning...
covering the ceremony...
itself.
Let's start...
then... with... details... of President YOON Suk-yeol's inauguration address.
Sunny, for his inaugural speech, President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would "rebuild" a country...
where the people are the true owners.
Take a look.
"Based on the values of freedom, human rights, fairness, and solidarity, I will make sure
to create a country where the people are the true masters, a country that fulfills its
responsibility and a country that is respected in the international community."
During his inaugural speech, President Yoon emphasized "freedom" 35 times.
He also touched upon the need to address issues like the pandemic, supply chain issues, climate
change and other social conflicts, but said that politics cannot function well right now
because of a crisis of democracy.
He criticized excessive "collective conflict" in the nation, stressing the need for the
value of "freedom" to overcome the conflict and restore universal values.
On the economic front, he stressed the need for "fast growth" to overcome social polarization,
driven by science and technology.
Take a look.
"During the process of rapid growth, many people can find new opportunities and we can
eliminate the source of polarization and conflict by enhancing social mobility.
Leaps and rapid growth can only be achieved through science, technology, and innovation."
On North Korea, the new President said the door for dialogue is open to resolve its nuclear
issues.
"If North Korea stops developing nuclear weapons and switches to substantial denuclearization,
we will work with the international community to prepare a bold plan that will drastically
improve the North Korean economy and the quality of life of its people."
President Yoon also signaled for a greater role for South Korea in the international
community, adding it's now among the top 10 global economies.
And...
do tell us... a bit....
about the guests...
at the inauguration.
There were some 41-thousand people invited to today's event....
most of them ordinary citizens.
Some 24-thousand ordinary people, whose applications were chosen in a ballot, were at the event.
I had a chance to talk to some of them.
Take a look.
"I'm glad and honored to come to the inauguration ceremony and see the new president from afar."
"I don't know much about politics, so I came here for the experience.
It's my first time coming to an inauguration like this, so I'll see how it goes."
Former Presidents and their families were also present.
There were some 300 foreign dignitaries...
including U.S. Second Gentleman, Douglas Emhoff,...
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan,... and Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Upon arrival at the ceremony site, President Yoon and the first lady got out of their car
at the main gate of the National Assembly... and walked all the way to the podium... so
that the President could meet and greet the people.
Back to you, Sunny.