(LEAD) President Lee to stress job creation, global diplomacy in New Year's address

(ATTN: ADDS with possible talks with opposition leaders from para 7)
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak's New Year's address on his
overall policy will deliver in broad strokes his blueprint for creating jobs and
boosting diplomacy this year, the presidential office said Sunday.

Monday's address, titled "A Bigger Korea," will last some 20 minutes and will
highlight the administration's plan to reap the fruits of its overall reform
drive throughout society, Lee's office said.
Regarding economic policy goals, Lee is expected to mostly emphasize job creation
and also express his intent to maintain "centrist and pragmatic" policies geared
toward ordinary people.
Lee reportedly plans to announce his broad goal to bolster South Korea's "global
diplomacy" through hosting the Group of 20 (G20) summit scheduled for November
this year.
Last year, South Korea won the right to chair the fifth G20 summit, which aims to
deal with various economic and financial issues facing the globe and build
consensus among the world's 20 advanced and developing economies countries that
have the greatest impact.
On North Korea, the president is expected to call for an upgrade in inter-Korean
relations while highlighting Seoul's intent to maintain principles and
flexibility at the same time.
Meanwhile, sources in Cheong Wa Dae said the president is looking into the
possibility of holding talks with opposition leaders to try to thaw the
parliamentary standoff caused by the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) passing
the 2010 budget last Thursday.
The GNP, which controls the 299-seat National Assembly, passed the 292.8 trillion
won (US$252.6 billion) budget plan without reaching an understanding with the
opposition parties.
"There is a possibility that the president may invite opposition leaders to talks
around the middle of the month so he can explain the general direction of the
country's policies and relieve political tensions that have built up over
opposing issues," an insider, who declined to be identified, said.
The official added that GNP leader Chung Mong-joon may be present at the talks,
although no details have been set yet.
Others hinted that the proposal to meet with opposition leaders may be made
Monday, when Lee makes the New Year address, or after the government announces a
new building plan for Sejong City in Chungcheong Province, which was originally
planned to be developed as a government administrative center.
The revised Sejong City building plan is expected out around Jan. 11.
(END)