Lee urges parliamentary support for N. Korea, economic policies

By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak on Thursday called for nonpartisan support for his administration's policies towards North Korea and his plans for economic revival.

"The global economy is now in difficult shape. It's meaningless to divide ruling
and opposition parties in the face of a crisis," Lee said during a dinner meeting
with floor leaders and chief policymakers from rival parties.
"I'm ready to settle any contentious issues through debate with opposition
parties. In particular, the opposition parties have to approach inter-Korean
affairs from the perspective of national interest."
The president then stressed the importance of nonpartisan cooperation to help
revive the economy.
"Times have changed. The opposition parties must not raise objections for the
sake of objection, while the ruling party is not supposed to abuse its majority
power," said Lee.
"I've all along been determined to serve the nation and the people... I wish all
political parties would wholeheartedly support national tasks," said Lee,
reiterating an earlier decision to welcome opposition parties as partners in
governing state affairs.
Lee and opposition parties are at odds over the government's sweeping tax
reduction policies, its overhaul of outdated provincial administrative zoning, as
well as its policies on inter-Korean cooperation and balanced national
development.
Asked whether he is overly optimistic about the global financial turmoil, Lee
said flatly that the situation could worsen if political leaders instigate a
sense of instability.
ycm@yna.co.kr