Title: IN-DEPTH_1
Not just the first press conference of the new year, but her first since taking office last February.
Speaking to the nation directly Monday morning, President Park Geun-hye laid out her plans for state affairs and took questions from reporters on a wide range of issues.
The president's plans for the new year center on revitalizing the economy, bolstering national security and reforming the nation's public enterprises.
For details from the press conference, we now go live to our presidential office correspondent, Eoh Jin-joo. She joins us live from Arirang News Center.
So Jin-joo, what are President Park's plans for the coming year?
Revitalizing the economy and laying the foundation for a peaceful reunification of the two Koreas... will be President Park's key focus in the year 2014.
During the New Year's press conference, which lasted for more than 80 minutes, you got the impression that she really is putting great emphasis on economic revitalization, as the word "economy" was used the most-- 24 times to be exact.
Her administration's push for economic revitalization will be based on a three-year plan, which was unveiled by President Park today.
"This year, I will set up a 'three-year economic innovation plan' aimed at reforming the Korean economy, and I will push ahead with it, so that the people can actually feel the effects of the economic recovery, opening a new era of national happiness."
The president pledged to normalize abnormal practices in society and lay the foundation for a strong economy, starting with reforms in the public sector,... while continuing her push for a creative economy.
She also vowed to create an economy that balances domestic demand and exports, by supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises and fostering the five major service industries -- the sectors of health, education, tourism, finance and software.
With the two Koreas having been divided for nearly 70 years,... North Korea will also remain a top priority for the administration.
President Park stressed that now is the time to prepare for a reunified Korea, in order to break away from the threats of war.
She also proposed holding a round of reunions for families separated by the Korean War around the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls in the last week of January.
"With the Lunar New Year approaching, I hope that separated families, who have grown old waiting for the past 60 years, can meet one another to help heal the wounds in their hearts. I hope that North Korea will take a meaningful first step this year through the familiy reunions, and set up a new framework for inter-Korean dialogue."
Now, following the press conference,... the South Korean government officially proposed working-level Red Cross talks between the two Koreas at the truce village of Panmunjeom this coming Friday.
