Lee urges nation to more actively support Haiti

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak called on the nation Monday to
more actively come to the aid of quake survivors in Haiti, reaffirming the
government's plan to provide additional support to the Caribbean nation.


"I hope the South Korean people will pay more heed to Haiti, which is suffering
from a terrible calamity, and join aid efforts," Lee said in a weekly meeting
with top presidential secretaries, according to Lee's spokesman Park Sun-kyoo.
The president added, "The government will offer bold additional assistance
besides the US$1 million it has already promised."
Seoul announced last week that it would deliver emergency aid materials worth $1
million to the devastated country. It also dispatched a 35-member rescue team.
Diplomatic sources said South Korea is mulling the increase of its aid to Haiti
to over $5 million.
The move came amid media reports that last week's powerful 7.0 magnitude quake is
estimated to have caused as many as 200,000 deaths. Tens of thousands of people
were wounded, while countless more have been displaced and now face severe
shortages of water, electricity and other daily necessities.
"For now, emergency aid is urgent. South Korea will spare no efforts in recovery
and rehabilitation work to be carried out down the road," Lee said.
The president, meanwhile, instructed government officials not to be swayed by the
"political mood" ahead of local elections in June, according to the spokesman.
He also urged the government to step up efforts to curb inflation with the Lunar
New Year's holiday just around the corner.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)

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