Moon expects March presidential election to bring hope for future
SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in said Saturday he expects the upcoming presidential election to bring hope for the future, with people expected to vote in a tight race in March between two main candidates.
"An election to pick a new president lies ahead," Moon said in a New Year's message posted on social media, adding he "expects an election that assures hope for the future together with people."
The presidential election will be held on March 9, and recent polls showed that ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung had a lead over his main opposition rival Yoon Suk-yeol.
Moon, whose single five-year term ends in May, said he will continue to spare no efforts to make 2022 a year to leap forward as a leading nation until his term ends.
With the COVID-19 pandemic entering its third year, Moon expressed his gratitude toward public health workers for their hard work during the pandemic.
Moon also thanked small merchants and self-employed people who have braced for economic pains of the pandemic.
Moon said he "deeply thanks anti-epidemic and medical workers for defending the anti-epidemic front line, small merchants and self-employed people for enduring difficulties, essential workers for supporting daily life and people for thinking of the safety of neighbors together."
Tighter social distancing rules will be extended for another two weeks until Jan. 16 as health authorities are grappling with a surge in critical cases amid concerns over the spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(News Focus) Display, electronics makers dealt blow by COVID-19 lockdowns in China
-
BTS to meet Biden at White House to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes
-
(URGENT) Russian, Chinese warplanes enter S. Korea's air defense zone without notice: JCS
-
Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS
-
Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
-
(LEAD) Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS
-
(News Focus) Display, electronics makers dealt blow by COVID-19 lockdowns in China
-
With historic Golden Boot, Son Heung-min cements case as greatest S. Korean footballer ever
-
(URGENT) Russian, Chinese warplanes enter S. Korea's air defense zone without notice: JCS
-
(LEAD) Supreme Court rules against peak wage system
-
Former rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae to wed in August
-
Supreme Court orders life sentence for man convicted of raping, killing 20-month-old baby
-
S. Korean midfielder Hwang Hee-chan to enter military training after 2 friendlies in June
-
(LEAD) N. Korea's new fever cases fall below 100,000: official data
-
S. Korean volunteer fighter in Ukraine returns home with injuries