Lee calls for int'l efforts to overcome crisis

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, March 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday
called for international efforts to overcome the global financial crisis, noting
scattered efforts by individual nations may not be enough to bring an end to the
"unprecedented" downturn.

"The government is making strenuous efforts, but there are areas where its
efforts may not be sufficient. We can double the results of our efforts and
reduce the time needed to overcome the crisis when all nations in the world join
their efforts," the president said.
The remarks came at the inaugural meeting of the National Elders' Forum for the
President, through which seniors from around the country will have an opportunity
to directly offer their advice.
Lee said the country was taking the swiftest action in the world to fight the
ongoing crisis, but noted the efforts alone would not be enough.
"The duration of our recovery can be reduced only when global economic conditions
improve," he said.
The South Korean president expressed hope the world would agree on concerted
efforts and means to overcome the crisis when the heads of the world's 20 largest
economies meet in London for a financial forum known as the G-20 summit in April.
"There will be a lot of discussion on the world economic recovery at the upcoming
summit and we are trying to do all we can as one of the co-chair nations," Lee
told the meeting.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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