Justice minister pledges strict enforcement of laws

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Justice Minister Lee Kwi-nam vowed
Thursday that law enforcement authorities will step up efforts to crack down on
violent crimes next year to keep order in the nation.

"The ministry will cope firmly with illegal collective actions and intensify
efforts to eradicate those powerful people in local communities who commit crimes
and irregularities, as well as the corrupt journalists of quasi-media across the
country," the minister said in his New Year's message.
The minister added the government will try to concentrate on preventing illegal
campaigns so that local elections can be held fairly in June next year.
"We will continue to establish the level of social order that can go well with
the status of the country hosting Group of 20 summit," he said.
"We will strictly deal with violent crimes, especially sexual crimes against
children, so that people can live in our society without fear of violence," Lee
said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)