President Lee calls for efforts to make greater South Korea

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak called for efforts to further
develop the country in his New Year's message, noting the country is facing the
chance to become a great nation. The message was released in advance by the
presidential office Thursday.

"We created a new chance amid the crisis last year in order to move into the
future. The path we must take in the year 2010 is one that will take us to a
greater South Korea," the message said. The New Year's message is to be broadcast
nationwide on Friday.
In his message, the president noted the country achieved much in 2009, exporting
nuclear power plants overseas for the first time in history and also becoming a
member of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development.
Seoul was also named host of a G-20 economic summit, the world's premier forum
for economic cooperation. It is to be held here in November 2010.
"I believe all this was possible because our people joined their efforts," Lee
said. "What we earned in 2009 was the confidence we have now in ourselves."
The president said he and his government will continue to seek ways to further
develop the country.
"We will continue to work to firmly establish the foundation for our nation to
become an advanced country with the belief that our efforts now will lead to our
prosperity forever," he said.
The president will again address the nation Monday in a press conference, where
he will announce the government's main policy objectives for 2010, according to
the presidential office.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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