President Lee vows all-out efforts to create jobs in new year

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that his top
priority will be placed on creating jobs next year as the country's economic
recovery remains nascent and the employment market continues to stagnate.

The president, formerly a construction firm CEO, cautioned against being
complacent about some positive indicators showing a rebound in Asia's leading
economy after a sharp downturn caused by the global financial crisis.
"Although the recovery phase has begun, it is just in the early stage," Lee said,
receiving a policy report for 2010 from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the
Korea Communications Commission, and the Small & Medium Business Administration.
He would not rule out the possibility that South Korea will again face a crisis.
"There are unpredictable variations lurking in the world's every economic
circumstance. We shouldn't be complacent," he said.
He pointed out that despite the burgeoning recovery of the nation's economy, the
problems of creating jobs for the youth and improving the livelihood of
low-income households remain unresolved.
"Job creation should be the top priority next year as well," Lee said, calling
for national unity for that.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)