President urges efforts to overcome economic crisis, rebuild nation

SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak vowed Friday to rebuild the
nation into an advanced country where no one is left behind while calling on the
people and the government to pay more attention to their neighbors in need,
especially around the holiday season.
"There are many people around us who are not able to go home for the holiday,"
the president said in a special radio address ahead of Chuseok, the autumn
harvest holiday that falls on Saturday.
"It is especially heartbreaking to see young unemployed people who are unable to
go home because they feel ashamed to see their parents," Lee added.
However, there are signs of a slow, yet definite economic recovery, the president
said.
"Despite continuing difficulties, we have signs of great hope. Our country is
overcoming the economic crisis at the fastest rate in the world and is moving
into the center of the world," he said.
The president said the movement toward the center of the world will begin with
the country's hosting of next year's Group of 20 economic summit, which was
designated as the premier forum for international economic cooperation at a
Pittsburgh meeting last month.
"This will be an important opportunity to elevate our national status in the
international community," Lee said. The economic forum will be held here in
November 2010.
Still, the president noted economic difficulties may continue for some time.
"There are signs of our economy slowly recovering, but it appears it will take
some more time before conditions in the job market will also improve," he said.
"The government will do its utmost to build a society where no one is left out."
bdk@yna.co.kr
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