Scaled-down presidential inauguration: Pres. Lee pledges to be ‘president for everyone’

Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min.

We begin our coverage with the start of a new government here in Korea.

Taking the oath of office in a red, white and blue tie, President Lee Jae-myung pledged to become "a leader for all" regardless of their political inclinations.

Other Key messages centered on kick-starting an economic task force as he vows to take "pragmatic" approaches when it comes to diplomacy.

Our correspondent Shin Ha-young reports.

"I solemnly swear before the people to uphold the Constitution, defend the nation, strive for the peaceful reunification of the homeland, promote the freedom and well-being of the people, advance national culture, and to faithfully carry out my duties as president."

President Lee Jae-myung took the oath at the National Assembly in a scaled-down inauguration on Wednesday, keeping the ceremony brief and focused as he started his term without a transition committee.

In his inaugural speech, Lee emphasized national unity, which he has highlighted throughout his campaign, saying he will embrace everyone and be a "president for all."

"The new Democratic administration under Lee Jae-myung will be a government of just integration and pragmatic flexibility. I will be a president who ends divisive politics."

During the inauguration, Lee caught attention by wearing a red, white and blue tie, symbolizing his message of unity across political affiliations.

Lee pointed to reviving the domestic economy as one of the top priorities of his administration.

"We will start by restoring people's livelihoods and reviving the economy. With a determination to fight through this downturn, we will immediately launch the emergency economic task force."

Regarding his diplomatic policy, Lee emphasized pragmatic, national-interest-focused diplomacy to turn the global economic and security challenges into opportunities that maximize national benefits.

"We will strengthen the trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan based on a solid South Korea-U.S. alliance, while managing relations with neighboring countries in a practical and national interest-based perspective."

Lee also pledged to boost the nation's culture industries, stressing that culture is economic as well as global competitiveness.

We will expand South Korea's cultural industries. With strong support for the arts and culture, we will become a cultural powerhouse, setting global standards one of the top five global soft power leaders.

After the inauguration, Lee had lunch at the National Assembly with Speaker Woo Won-shik and leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, demonstrating his commitment to national unity from the very first day of his term.

There, he expressed his hope that by making necessary concessions and compromises, policies that everyone agrees on can be created to help people live better lives.

"Crowds gathered to witness history as Lee Jae-myung took office after winning the snap presidential election with 49-point-4-2 percent of the vote. Having consistently emphasized national unity, all eyes are now on how Lee will turn those words into action. Shin Ha-young, Arirang News."