President says respect for law, order basis of competitiveness

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Friday called for strict observance and enforcement of the law, saying a society cannot become an advanced nation without respect for law and public order.

"In the international community, a country must not only establish law and order,
but also raise its moral standards to gain national competitiveness," the
president said in a speech marking Law Day, designated in 1964.
"Following the law is not only a basis for the country to become an advanced,
top-class nation, but it is becoming more important by the day for increasing
national competitiveness," Lee said at a ceremony held at the COEX exhibition
center in southern Seoul.
The people need to better understand that law and order are an indispensable
necessity in building a safe society, he said, but many still believe abiding by
the law will only cause them losses.
"Legislators who make law, government officials who enforce the law and those in
the judicial branch who interpret and apply the law must first have a high sense
of responsibility and ethics," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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