Lee vows 'unrivaled industrial powerhouse' status, promises major investment reveal

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday named becoming an "unrivaled industrial powerhouse" as his top governing priority for his second year in office, pledging to soon unveil a large-scale investment project that he said would mark a "great transformation in growth strategy."

Lee made the announcement at a press conference marking his first anniversary in office, held at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan banquet hall. He said he would make 2026 "the bold beginning of an irreplaceable Korea — a nation no other country in the world can substitute."

In his opening remarks, Lee reflected on the past year. "Amid the waves of crisis over the last year, we instead confirmed South Korea's potential, possibilities and opportunities," he said.

He then outlined four governing objectives, framing them as the foundation for "opening a new era of the K-Initiative" built on the country's accumulated experience, capabilities, values and the public's energy to overcome national hardship.

On the industrial front, Lee said the government would pursue "overwhelming competitiveness in advanced technology" by mobilizing the combined strength of the public and private sectors. The goal, he said, was to advance toward an "unrivaled industrial powerhouse where every citizen and every region shares equally in the opportunities and benefits of growth."

The strategy involves identifying and nurturing "globally dominant growth engines" beyond the semiconductor sector, positioning South Korea for advantage in an era of intensifying technology competition.

Lee stressed that the gains from growth must not remain concentrated in specific companies, regions or sectors. "The achievements and opportunities built through the collective strength of the community must flow down to small and medium-sized venture businesses and spread evenly across our land and every field," he said, "so that every citizen can feel the change in their daily lives."

To that end, Lee previewed the coming investment project announcement and said the government would ensure the National Growth Fund — which he said has drawn strong public support — fulfills its role of delivering "growth for all." He added that the government would also develop the most effective plan for using surplus tax revenue generated by the semiconductor industry.

On diplomacy and security, Lee said he would work to translate the achievements of the past year into concrete results, citing the revision of the South Korea-US nuclear cooperation agreement, the pursuit of nuclear submarine acquisition and the early recovery of wartime operational control.

On the Korean Peninsula, he said the government would "steadfastly forge a path toward peace, stability, coexistence and shared prosperity" under the principle that "peace is growth and peace is people's livelihoods."

Lee also addressed market integrity and prosecutorial reform, vowing to "thoroughly punish" economic crimes that distort market order — including stock price manipulation and real estate crime — and to carry out structural reforms aimed at dismantling entrenched privilege "without wavering."

Rounding out his four priorities was public safety. Lee pledged to build what he called a "thick social safety mattress with no gaps" — encompassing financial services that save lives, safe workplaces, a welfare system that leaves no one behind and crime-free streets — through "proactive and meticulous governance."