Lee to call for national unity to overcome economic trouble

SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak plans to outline
his policy direction this year in an address focusing on economic issues that
will be broadcast live nationwide on Friday, his aides said.
In his 20-minute New Year speech, the president will appeal for national unity
and burden-sharing to ride out the deepening economic woes, they added.
"President Lee plans to unveil his policy vision for the Year of the Ox through
his first public speech in the New Year," an official at Cheong Wa Dae told
Yonhap News Agency over the phone.
Lee will explain about the government's policy direction to weather the economic
crisis and call for national unity for that, he added.
His New Year address on the first working day of this year comes a few weeks
earlier than usual. His predecessor Roh Moo-hyun delivered the address on Jan. 23
in 2008.
Presidential secretaries said it reflects Lee's will for a swift move to tackle
pending economic issues.
The government's efforts to create jobs and support underprivileged people will
be introduced as well, they said.
On the security issue, the president will reiterate his willingness to get
inter-Korean ties back on track via dialogue.
He will also unveil his vision for bolstering law and order, improving
labor-management relations, and upgrading public education.
But Lee is unlikely to mention such political issues as his reported plan to
reshuffle the Cabinet and reorganize the presidential office.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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