President says Korea seeing 'light at end of tunnel'

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak called for continued efforts
and patience from the people Monday, saying the country is beginning to see an
end to a protracted period of economic hardship, but that more is needed to be
done before the country can completely overcome the crisis.

"A relief is that our economy is beginning to see the light, though very vague,
at the end of the tunnel," the president said in his biweekly national radio
address, noting the country posted the only positive growth among members of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the first
quarter.
"We are receiving forecasts from foreign institutes that South Korea's economic
growth will again be the highest (among OECD countries) in the second quarter,"
Lee said.
The president said this was mainly because of the efforts of ordinary citizens
and laborers, who voluntarily cut wages and working hours under a job-sharing
campaign.
"It is still very difficult, but this is the reason why we can have hope," he said.
But he said it was still too early for the country to let its guard down, noting
a full recovery will also depend on how the rest of the world does.
"What is worse is that the people, who suffer before anyone else from an economic
crisis, will be the last ones to benefit from an economic recovery," the
president said.
"Because we fully understand this, the government has been focusing on policies
that will benefit our ordinary citizens and small and mid-size businesses and
will continue to pay more attention in the future," he added.
The government has come under severe public criticism following the death of
former President Roh Moo-hyun on May 23, as many of Roh's supporters claimed Roh
took his own life because of what they say was politically motivated
investigation into his corruption allegations.
President Lee said he was closely listening to public opinion reflected in the
media and the market, but said the various voices must be translated into efforts
to change, not divide the country.
"The public sentiment is still divided by ideologies and regions. Corruption by
those in power endlessly repeats itself. The bad habit of political strife where
people unconditionally object what the other side says continues to thrive," the
president said of problems he said the country still faces.
"I will continue to listen to various opinions and decide what must be done. I
will sincerely thank you if you, my dear citizens, can also bring together your
wisdom with a sincere heart for the future of our nation," Lee said.
The national address came just hours before the president was set to depart for
the United States where he will hold talks with his U.S. counterpart Barack
Obama.
"In the face of an unprecedented global economic crisis, as well as a worsening
security crisis due to threats of North Korean nuclear weapons and missiles,
stressing the importance of diplomacy can never be overdone," the president said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)