작성일 : 2008-01-17 18:17:18 Address by President-elect Lee Myung Bak January 17, 2008 Seoul Advanced Korea: the Lee Myung Bak Administration’s Message to the World May I begin by extending a very warm welcome to each and every member of the foreign press corps? The year 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of KoreaR12;a truly remarkable journey. The Korean people did not waver in the face of national partition or from the ruins of war. Instead, they achieved an industrial miracle and matching democratization. Today, the ROK stands ready to open the next chapter of its journey or becoming a fully advanced country. The making of an advanced Korea is an ideal and a common goal that is shared by all Koreans. Leaders from across the world conveyed their congratulations to me since my election as president and some even dispatched special envoys. I am deeply grateful for such support and abiding interest from the international community. As my administration prepares to take office, I intend to emphasize “creative pragmatism” as the modus operandi of the next government. I will take the lead in undertaking a “great transformation.” A transformation where old structures are replaced by concepts that leads us into the future but backed up by solid actions. On the home front, the Lee Myung Bak Administration stands ready to foster politics that integrates and unites; providing economic satisfaction that is palpable; and a happiness that is genuine. At the same time, we will strive to expand our horizons throughout Asia and into the world. So that “Global Korea” can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world and pledge our level best in “building a safer Korea, a more prosperous Asia, and a more just world order.” To this end, our cardinal effort will be placed on the complete resolution of the North Korean nuclear problem and concomitantly, the creation of a “new peace structure” on the Korean Peninsula. Although the dismantlement process is currently being delayed, we remain patient and mindful of the need to proceed carefully. All the more crucial why I intend to strengthen the cooperative framework with other members of the Six Party Talks including the United States, Japan, China and Russia. At the same time, utmost efforts will be made vis-à-vis dialogue and exchange with North Korea. We will continue to persuade North Korea that giving up its nuclear weapons programs will benefit both its regime and its people. Specifically, we stand ready to implement a bold policy that seeks to increase North Korea’s economic capability within a decade up to the level where per capita reaches $3,000. It is through such fundamental but also productive approaches that we seek to resolving the North Korean nuclear problem. Allow me to shift my attention to Asia where its economies are emerging as new growth engines of the global economy. It goes without saying that cooperative ties with fellow Asian countries will be strengthened. Atthe same time, however, I believe that it’s time for new thinking: when Asia can more boldly open its doors to one another; when exchanges can become truly catalytic. In the all-important security arena, the ROK-US Alliance is going to be creatively revamped in tandem with enhancing Korean security and regional stability. Japan and China are very important partners in the context of Korea’s overall national interests. I would like to emphasize that I plan to level up our ties with China, which has become our closest economic partner. based on commonly shared values, I hope to develop the Korean-Japanese relationship into a relationship that further contributes to world society. I will also redouble efforts to deepen our relations with Russia. The new government’s Asia policy, however, is going to be wider and deeper as we seek to expand our ties not only with our more traditional partners such as ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, but also by building new relationships with India, Central Asia, and the Middle East. As we traverse Asia, I also have high expectations on broadening our cooperative ties with the European Union. The incoming government is going to focus its efforts significantly on the promotion of pragmatic economic diplomacy. This means ratifying the ROK-US FTA as soon as possible and bringing to closure on-going FTA negotiations with the EU. We will positively examine the feasibility of concluding FTAs with countries from other regions. Since the election, I’ve met with numerous business leaders and economic experts to ascertain their views as I prepare to put into place key policies for reviving the Korean economy. Koreans from all walks of life have come up to me with one abiding message: to create an environment for Korea’s next growth engine. I am convinced that a prosperous Korean economy is the right path towards contributing to global prosperity and stability. Let me yet again emphasize what I’ve said all alongR12;that I will significantly improve Korea’s investmentclimate for foreign firms. To those enterprises that are already present in the Korean market: I will do all I can to build a more a favorable business environment. An environment that is commensurate with global standards. Two crucial preconditions must be fulfilled in order to achieve this goalR12;across-the-board deregulation and a more stable labor-management relationship. As Korea looks to the future, there is no choice but to be involved more intensely in reducing the threat posed by “human security” challenges including the environment, human rights, abject poverty, and diseases. On major global issues such as follow-on agreements to the Kyoto Protocol, Korea will do its part in contributing to an earlier settlement. The new government is going to gradually increase “Official Development Assistance” (ODA) while striving to create a youth-based, Korean version of the “Peace Corps.” As we look to our own backyard, by revitalizing cultural exchanges and therefore expanding communication with Asian countries, we will be able to pave the way for a forward-looking Asian community. The 21st century is a century of convergence. As Korea heads out into the world, we must also welcome the world to our shores. And it is through such crisscrossing exchanges that Korea will be able to redefine its roles and missions for the new century. If Korea’s journey thus far has been guided by pathways created by other states, the time has come for Korea to set up guideposts where it can now travel together with the rest of the world. Excavating and building this very pathway remains as one of my central tasks. Thank you very much.