President urges firms to invest in 'green technology'

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Jan. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called on the
country's business firms on Monday to invest in developing environmentally
friendly technologies, saying green technology will give them significant
competitiveness once the ongoing economic crisis ends.
"There is always an end to a crisis. And that is why I believe we must also
prepare for what comes next while working to overcome the difficulty that faces
us today," the president said in a meeting with members of the Korea Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
"Although it is important for firms to secure enough cash, I ask you on this
occasion to actively seek investment opportunities," he said. "Also, the
government will actively support any firm that invests in the green industry."
The call followed the president's new year address on Friday, in which he said
the government will establish an emergency council solely tasked with overcoming
the ongoing economic crisis.
Lee Dong-kwan, a spokesman for the presidential office, said earlier Monday that
the envisioned council, formally named the Emergency Economy Management Council,
will hold its first meeting before the end of this week.
The president also noted the current economic crisis may bring significant
changes to the management-labor relations, possibly allowing more labor
flexibility to employers.
"I believe the culture of our country's labor-management relations will also
change significantly in the face of this crisis. Therefore, the government will
try to turn our country into a nation that is friendly to investment and business
firms," Lee said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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