ID :
31608
Sat, 11/22/2008 - 08:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/31608
The shortlink copeid
Lee vows to support establishment of Korean schools worldwide
LIMA, Nov. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday his
government will significantly increase fiscal support for the establishment of
Korean language schools worldwide, as part of the country's bid to become the
world's seventh-largest economic power.
Meeting with Korean residents in Peru, Lee said his government will also
establish an integrated networking system for all 7.5 million Koreans living
abroad to help facilitate closer cooperation and communication.
Lee arrived in Lima from Brasilia earlier on Thursday for a state visit and to
attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum over the weekend.
"There are about 7.5 million Koreans living abroad, compared with an estimated 65
million overseas Chinese. Unlike the Chinese, overseas Koreans are spread over
far more countries worldwide in smaller numbers, giving rise to educational
problems for their children," said the president.
"Korea now has the world's 13th-largest economy and will become the
seventh-largest economic power in the near future. By then, knowledge of the
Korean language will be essential to all transactions with Korea. Thus, the study
of Korean is a must for the offspring of overseas Koreans, but current conditions
are inadequate," said Lee.
Lee also promised that he would soon take measures to build Korean language
schools and culture centers even in smaller Korean communities in Latin America
and other parts of the globe.
"The 7.5 million overseas Koreans help the nation make inroads into global
markets... The reputation of overseas Koreans can directly affect the image of
Korean products."
Speaking on his attendance at the Group of 20 summit in the U.S. last week,
meanwhile, President Lee warned that the current worldwide economic slump could
last longer than 10 years, if countries across the world resort to trade
protectionism.
"As seen in the days of the Great Depression, the world suffered from a
protracted economic recession for a period of 11 years due to trade protectionism
employed by individual countries," said Lee.
"A repetition of the same mistake could result in the ongoing global economic
crisis persisting for over 10 years. The G-20 leaders seem to share concerns
about the issue."
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
government will significantly increase fiscal support for the establishment of
Korean language schools worldwide, as part of the country's bid to become the
world's seventh-largest economic power.
Meeting with Korean residents in Peru, Lee said his government will also
establish an integrated networking system for all 7.5 million Koreans living
abroad to help facilitate closer cooperation and communication.
Lee arrived in Lima from Brasilia earlier on Thursday for a state visit and to
attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum over the weekend.
"There are about 7.5 million Koreans living abroad, compared with an estimated 65
million overseas Chinese. Unlike the Chinese, overseas Koreans are spread over
far more countries worldwide in smaller numbers, giving rise to educational
problems for their children," said the president.
"Korea now has the world's 13th-largest economy and will become the
seventh-largest economic power in the near future. By then, knowledge of the
Korean language will be essential to all transactions with Korea. Thus, the study
of Korean is a must for the offspring of overseas Koreans, but current conditions
are inadequate," said Lee.
Lee also promised that he would soon take measures to build Korean language
schools and culture centers even in smaller Korean communities in Latin America
and other parts of the globe.
"The 7.5 million overseas Koreans help the nation make inroads into global
markets... The reputation of overseas Koreans can directly affect the image of
Korean products."
Speaking on his attendance at the Group of 20 summit in the U.S. last week,
meanwhile, President Lee warned that the current worldwide economic slump could
last longer than 10 years, if countries across the world resort to trade
protectionism.
"As seen in the days of the Great Depression, the world suffered from a
protracted economic recession for a period of 11 years due to trade protectionism
employed by individual countries," said Lee.
"A repetition of the same mistake could result in the ongoing global economic
crisis persisting for over 10 years. The G-20 leaders seem to share concerns
about the issue."
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
