President Lee calls for military support in tackling foot-and-mouth disease

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday the country's military needs to be more involved in assisting government efforts to contain the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease across the nation.

"I know the military is probably actively supporting (the efforts), but I would
like it to provide more assistance and cooperation," he said in a meeting with
ministers and vice ministers to discuss his administration's major policies next
year.
South Korea has culled hundreds of thousands of pigs and cattle since the highly
contagious disease was reported in the southeastern city of Andong a month ago.
It is one of the country's worst outbreaks of the disease.
"Foot-and-mouth disease has been reported each year, but a nationwide outbreak of
this sort is unprecedented," Lee said.
On South Korea's economy, Lee said the country will be able to achieve its goal
of 5 percent growth in 2011 despite the uncertainties in the global economy.
"Experts say it is not an easy figure but (we) can attain (the goal) if (we) make
an effort," he said.
lcd@yna.co.kr