Distinguished Citizens:

One month has passed since I took office as Prime Minister.

I have talked with many people, trying to identify national issues as well as urgent national tasks.

In the process, I was convinced that the largest barrier to what we aim to pursue is chronic government corruption and lack of integrity of government officials.

To revitalize the economy and implement reforms successfully, I felt that we must urgently eliminate government corruption and establish government integrity across the country.

Recent embezzlement examples associated with military equipment and supply are threatening national security and are something that should have never happened in this country.

Lack of transparency and corruption relating to the development of natural resources in foreign countries have also put a significant burden on government finances.

Establishment of secret funds and embezzlement by some large companies are frustrating our efforts to revive our economy.

Leaking public documents for personal gain is a menace to governmental integrity.

These examples of corruption simply indicate that government integrity is collapsing and threating the very core of what the government tries to achieve.

Eliminating government corruption is the most urgent responsibility of mine as Prime Minister; it is an urgent, crucial task that determines our future and fortune.

The recent corruption in numerous areas may not be over, but it may signal the beginning of more corruption to come.

Before it is too late, we must remove cancerous elements in our society that include corruption and malpractice accumulated over the years.

I am determined to do whatever it takes to eliminate government abuse and corruption.

The government will rely on every capacity, authority, and means to cut off chains of structural corruption.

The government will investigate chronic corruption and abuse deeply rooted in every corner of the country, get to the bottom of them, and punish those responsible for committing them.

Following the “No Tolerance Principle” for corruption, I will help transform the country into one where corruption is no longer acceptable.

The fortune of our country depends on eliminating corruption and abuse. Failure of doing so is never acceptable.

With the mindset that failure this time will never give us an opportunity to reform again, I will put forth every power of the government to accomplish the historic task of removing government corruption and abuse.

Every government agency, including law enforcement agencies such as the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and the Korean National Police Agency, will take extraordinary measures for this endeavor.

I ask you to offer your power and wisdom in our effort to transform Korea into a transparent country.

Lastly, I sincerely ask you to offer your encouragement and support to us.

Thank you very much.