Anchor: President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed to open a “new era of the middle class” in the second half of his term, saying he will resolve polarization, improve living standards and revitalize the economy. The president made the pledge Friday during a national prayer breakfast at a hotel in Seoul, adding that he will involve the entire nation in the efforts. 
Kim Bum-soo has more. 

Report: President Yoon Suk Yeol says the focus of the second half of his term in office will be on reducing inequality and beefing up the nation’s middle class. 

The president charted the course while speaking at a national prayer breakfast hosted by a Protestant group on Friday.

[Sound bite: President Yoon Suk Yeol (Korean-English)]
“In the first half [of my term in office], we exerted efforts to revitalize the economy, placing the focus on private-sector-led, market-centered policies. In the second half, we must break the polarization and ensure that all South Korea’s people have hope for the future and actively join in the efforts to build the nation. I will open a new era of the middle class by improving living standards and the economy.”

Having passed the midpoint of his five-year term in office two weeks ago, Yoon in his speech repackaged his medical, pension, labor and education reform campaigns under the theme of “leaving no one behind.”

[Sound bite: President Yoon Suk Yeol (Korean-English)]
“We will continue to spur efforts for our four major reforms. The government’s four reform campaigns are aimed at giving hope and courage to our people so that no one gives up and gets left behind, and ensuring that they join the efforts to build our nation together.”
 
In his speech, Yoon reaffirmed the government’s resolve to push ahead with his struggling medical reform campaign, which has prompted most of the nation’s trainee doctors to resign and led medical students to boycott classes in protest. 

As Yoon seeks Christian support to keep up the momentum for his signature medical reform drive, the presidential office says it is now open to the option of drafting a supplementary budget to pump-start the sluggish economy and break the polarization. 

However, Yoon’s aides are not yet clear about the timing of the possible cash injection. 
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.