Lee calls for conglomerates to expand investment, employment

SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak asked South Korea's major
conglomerates Friday to expand investment and hire more workers this year.

"Like every other nation in the world, the South Korean government's most
important goal is to create jobs," Lee said at the beginning of a meeting with
the heads of the country's top 30 conglomerates including Samsung, Hyundai and SK
at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul.
Lee said he expects the businesses to make a strategic decision to increase
investment as the global economy is showing signs of recovery.
The government has its own role to play in creating jobs but companies should
take a leading role in doing so through investment, added the one-time
construction firm CEO. During his presidential campaign, Lee said he would become
an "economy president" to further advance Asia's fourth-largest economy.
He stressed the need for a robust cycle of making investments, creating jobs, and
increasing demand, saying "I want you to actively cooperate in making investment
and jobs this year."
Lee said he plans to preside over a "national employment strategy meeting" every
month in 2010.
lcd@yna.co.kr