President Lee says positive signs of economic recovery now emerging

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that his
country is beginning to see signs of an economic recovery that will also have a
positive effect on the recovery of the global economy.

"Fortunately, some of the major economic indicators have recently been sending
positive signs," the president said in a speech read by his special economic
advisor Sakong Il at the opening of the Seoul International Finance Forum.
The president said this was the result of "bold and proactive" steps taken by the
government, adding the improved conditions "will also work positively for the
recovery of global economy."
The remarks come after Seoul's central bank, the Bank of Korea, said last week
the Korean economy, the world's 13th largest, may start to recover after
bottoming out in the second or third quarter.
The finance ministry also said that though economic conditions continued to
deteriorate since late last year, there are now indications of some improvement.
Still, the president noted there were a number of tasks to be done before the
world economy could be made sound again.
"The global financial system will be significantly changed in the future based on
what was agreed between leaders at the G-20 summit," he said, referring to the
economic summit of 20 major economies held in London earlier this month.
"The financial institutions will be called upon to seek not only short-term gains
but greater responsibility and transparency," Lee said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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