Good early morning, Seoul. I must remind all of you that while I celebrate this victory with you on this cool October evening, you all have jobs to take care of, families to raise, mouth to feed, and a nation that is in need of your care and loyalty. Citizens of the Republic of Korea, thank you for being here.
This decade has seen so much progress for a country that is still at war with its brothers across the border. I am ready to continue that progress and I need your help.
Over this course of this past weekend, the Korean people have spoken. They have affirmed our course. They have told us to be staple stable. Korea has told every one of us, loud and clear, that it is time to put aside old rivalries, join together, and get the job done for the future of this peninsula.
Again, as I will say to you all, we have made so much progress under the leadership of Ms. Homura Akemi. But in our schools, our families, our workplaces, our communities, and the places we go that help us enjoy the life we love...our journey is far from done.
I would like to say a special word of thanks to Ms. Kurisu Makise and her contributions to the field of neuroscience and finding new ways to help prolong the lives of Korean citizens and men and women all over the world. She ran a good race, and I wish her all the best and congratulate her on her efforts.
I want to thank my loving husband, Koyomi Araragi, for his tireless efforts and love and support. Dearest one, you mean everything to me. You mean the world to me, and you helped me get over my darkest days and I lived to tell about it, and I want to thank you.
To the rest of my circle: Nadeko Sengoku, Suruga Kanbaru, Tsubasa Hanekawa, Mayoi Hachikuji, Shinobo Oshino and her brother Meme, and Karen and Tsukihi Araragi, thank you for your support and solidarity in my cause and my plan to help move this country forward. Though we come from different walks of life, our dream is shared, and a new dawn of leadership in Korea is at hand.
This was a year that was highlighted by Expo 2012, an International Exposition that took place in the city of Yeosu. The theme of the Expo was “The Living Ocean and Coast” with subthemes of “Preservation and Sustainable Development of the Ocean and Coast,” “New Resources Technology,” and “Creative Marine Activities.” Over 100 countries participated in this event, and over 8 million visitors from around the world took part in the festivities.
This year, we addressed global issues like climate change and the protection of the oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian and the Arctic. Indeed, the demon that possessed me took the form of a stone crab and when I visited this exposition in Yeosu, I am reminded of my origins and why I am who I am right now.
Finally, our country, under the leadership of Ms. Akemi, returned to the black, recording a current-account surplus as the result of an easing global financial climate. Of course, the Republic of Korea is one of the leading economies in the world: a leader in electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding and steel production.
We have worked hard to turn this country around in the light of the economic recession, and now we ask ourselves this question: what are we going to do to make Korea better in the future?
Tonight, we proclaim that the vital Korean center—this city, Seoul—is alive and well. This is the common ground on which we have made our progress. Our economy is stronger, our streets our safer, our environment is cleaner, the world is more secure and our nation is committed to being united with its brothers and sisters to the North.
My last name, in Japanese, means "battle field." Indeed, the Korean peninsula remains a battlefield, divided between the industrialized South and the undeveloped, cult-driven North. But through your heart, through your will and through your determination, we are committed to becoming one united Korea. To do this, we must make our democracy stronger by enacting real, multi-partisan campaign finance reforms. Talk is cheap. It is not enough. It is time to hit the ground running, ASAP. And the Korean people will watch the leaders of parties represented in the Moe National Assemble to see who is willing, not just to talk, but to act. I am willing to act, and I ask others in the Moe National Assembly to join me in doing so.
And we must keep the Republic of Korea's status as one of the world's most indispensible nations. We will do this by approaching threats to our nation's security through terrorism and the proliferation of dangerous weapons, and seizing these extraordinary opportunities to extend our values of peace and democracy and prosperity. These are important issues I plan to tackle with confidence and resolve as your new Moe President of Korea.
Also, not too far from this special night, one of the national treasures, Sungnyemun, will rise from the ashes and be restored to its mighty grandeur. A pure symbol of this country, I will be there to witness its rebirth, and I implore each and every one of you to join me in witnessing this historic occasion.
Every Korean tonight, no matter which side of the peninsula you are on, and every Korean within in the sound of my voice can take pride in the fact that for the past decade on, a majority of human beings living on this Earth live under democracies where the people rule.
The challenges we face are not Monogatari challenges or Steins;Gate challenges or challenges by fans of other shows. They are Korean challenges. What we have known from the infighting of the past several years and from the remarkable success of the last few weeks of this Moe National Assembly is the lesson we have learned for many centuries, going all the way back to the days of antiquity: what we have achieved as Koreans of lasting good, we have achieved by working together. So let me say to the fans of all the shows that have your favorite moe character or characters, it's time to put country ahead of series.
We know this for sure, as people who love the moe: the races are close and competitive. The Korean people have been closely divided. The Assembly, no matter what happens from this point onward, will be closely divided.
But at the same time, they are sending us a message: Work together. Meet our challenges. Put aside the politics of division and build the communities of our great nation together.
What we need to do is do the work of Korea, the way we seek to do the work of raising our children and doing our work and supporting our religious institutions, our community institutions and any institution we choose to be a patron of.
If would we simply be Korea, the way we seek to live in all of our other roles, there is no stopping Korea. Our best days are still ahead.
So I say to you, when we look into our hearts and minds and simply ask ourselves what is right for the Korean people and the future of our children, when we set aside our differences and build on our shared values of family, duty, loyalty, honour, filial piety, respect for age and seniority, and sincerity; when we roll up our sleeves and work together as a team, Korea always wins.
I got here to this arena of champions tonight, my dear Koreans, because Korea gave me a chance. That is what all the children of Korea deserve. Our people and our ancestors have to give our children the tools to give them not a guarantee, but that real chance to live up to their potential, to be the best they can be.
And so I ask you to join me in that commitment. Every child in this country deserves the main chance that I was given. Every child deserves to overcome the challenges I went through in my lifetime to be successful.
Let us resolve to run this country the way we try to run our lives. Whether you are a fan of Steins;Gate, or a fan of Monogatari or a fan of Hyouka or a fan of Accel World, whether you support a show of the past, or a series that will air soon on your television set and will be released on DVD soon after, whether your buy the merchandise in-store or online, whether you are a fan of anime or not, remember that we all belong to one of the greatest countries in the world and in our history.
To us, much has been given and much is still expected. We must rise to the challenge of continuing the progress we made. Tonight is a night of joy, not just for us here, but for all Koreans, and for all fans of moe from around the world.
For the seventh time in our history, our people have made their quiet and deliberate decision. They have come together with their powerful voice and expressed their will.
Tonight, we celebrate the miracle of Korea. Soon, we greet the dawn and begin our work anew. I am even more grateful than I can say, and I am excited at our opportunity to help continue our path to success as a nation. You have given me this opportunity and a responsibility that comes to only a few people.
I will do my best. I will never let you down. And together we will move Korea forward in the 21st Century. Thank you, good night, God bless you all, and may the gods bless Korea.
Hankook Manse.
-Hitagi Senjougahara
Seventh Moe President, Republic of Korea
8 October 2012
Jamsil Arena
Seoul Special City, Republic of Korea
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