Full text of President Lee's New Year's message

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- The following is the full text of President Lee
Myung-bak's New Year's message to the nation released on Wednesday.

My fellow Koreans,
The New Year of 2009 has dawned. I wish every one of you a very healthy, happy
New Year. I also offer my warm New Year's greetings to Korean residents overseas
as well as our North Korean compatriots.
On every New Year's Day, our hearts swell with hope and anticipation.
Despite the many difficulties stemming from the global economic crisis, let us
all sing a song of courage and hope on this the first morning of the New Year.
Let us make a new beginning with the belief that tomorrow will definitely be far
better than today.
As President, I know well the aspirations of the Korean people. I greeted the
first day of the New Year by renewing my determination as well.
When the going was tough in the past, we were united and successfully surmounted
arduous challenges. I am convinced that we will certainly be able to ride out the
current crisis, which people say is the toughest. Let us weather the wild gust
and high waves, thereby turning this crisis into an opportunity.
Opportunities are not given; rather, they are something we have to create. To
create opportunities, all economic players have to make concessions and join
forces. Only then will we be able to overcome this crisis faster than any other
country.
Cheering each other up, let us move forward with renewed energy.
Have a joyous New Year.
(END)