President says difficulties still ahead despite improving conditions

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak warned Thursday against
premature complacency on the economy, saying the worst may be yet to come despite
recent signs that the country's economic situation may soon start to improve.
South Korea is moving ahead of other countries in overcoming the crisis and being
praised for its efforts, Lee said in a luncheon meeting with representatives from
the country's labor and business sectors.
Lee earlier said the country will be one of the first in the world to rise out of
the global economic and financial crisis and that there were already some signs
of an imminent recovery for the Korean economy.
"But I, myself, am fearful because the world is watching and we must produce an
outcome that will meet such expectations," he said, adding the country still had
a "long way to go."
Lee said the most pressing issue facing the country was its loss of jobs.
"Even if our economy enters a recovery phase, that will not lead us to a stage
where we can immediately create large number of jobs or as many as we would like
to," the president said, noting the country was also starting to lose workplaces
for those in their prime.
Over 195,000 jobs disappeared in March alone, the largest cut in number of jobs
since 1999, according to the National Statistical Office.
"The most important goal, the beginning and end of the government policy, is to
create jobs. If a country has enough jobs, the country's competitiveness does
well also," Lee said.
The president thanked labor and business representatives, noting their voluntary
job-sharing efforts helped drive the economy upward toward recovery.
"I ask you all to cherish and think of our nation and society as you do yourself
and family and join all your efforts to fight whatever difficulty that lies
ahead," Lee said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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