Int'l conference on S. Korea's New Deal held to discuss implications in post-COVID-19 era

Inclusive Korea 2020 ‘한국판 뉴딜: 국민과 함께 이루는 대전환’

To better carry out the country's latest development plan of a digital, green economy, South Korea held an international conference with renowned experts from home and abroad.

The event was made up of three sessions to discuss the visions and tasks of the Korean New Deal in the post-coronavirus era.

Min Suk-hyen reports.

An international conference was held this Tuesday to discuss South Korea's New Deal... which aims to transform the local economy into one that's digital and green.

The 'Inclusive Korea 2020 International Conference' took place both online and offline due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There, renowned experts discussed the project's vision and tasks that lie ahead in the post-COVID-19 era.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs attended virtually to share his insights.

He praised the overall formula of the Korean New Deal, saying that it puts together the right pieces to reach sustainable development.

"(This slide explains Korea's New Deal,) which I personally think is extremely well-designed from what I've seen because it has two basic pillars, both of which are extremely correct. The digital pillar and the renewable energy or zero-carbon pillar. And all of that is underpinned by a strong safety net."

Sachs added that he looks forward to seeing how the country achieves its New Deal goals, including Korea's commitments to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Ways to eradicate structural inequality and establish social protection were among some of the other issues discussed.

Professor Baldwin stressed that the government has do to whatever is necessary to protect workers.

"And my theme here would be protect workers, not jobs. Protect workers, not jobs. Because the government cannot know what jobs need protecting, (and) what jobs will survive no matter what."

South Korea's response to COVID-19 was also addressed.

Dubbed 'K-quarantine,' experts agreed that South Korea had been successful in fighting the virus in the early months of the outbreak... rolling out large-scale testing, contact-tracing and using information technology to contain the virus.

Min Suk-hyen, Arirang News.