President Presides Over Economic Meeting on Monday


By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
President Roh Moo-hyun on Saturday pledged to push ahead with strong economic and political reform, even if it brings him public criticism.

``I will never give up principles for reform,’’ Roh said in a televised speech to the nation. ``I will put priority to reviving the sluggish economy but will not use provisional economic measures to see short-term gains.’’ He will hold an emergency meeting with related ministers on economic issues on Monday.

His speech marked his official return to duty after he had his executive powers suspended following the passage of an impeachment motion against him on March 12. The Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment motion and reinstated Roh back to his power on Friday.

In his statement, he also made apology to the nation for the alleged corruption scandals involving his close aides and illegal campaign funds in the 2002 presidential election raised by his camp.

Regarding political affairs, Roh said that he will seek a politics of harmony and co-existence with opposition parties in pursuing his reform agenda.

``For the past two months, I received lots of letters asking me to pursue politics of harmony and co-existence,’’ he said. ``So, I am determined to pursue it.’’

In addition, Roh said he was ready to cooperate with opposition parties and would let a culture of fair competition take root in resolving differences.

For the political reform, he put weight behind the newly elected lawmakers.

``I believe the incoming National Assembly will take the lead in political reform, and I will just manage state affairs with stability so that political reform can be pushed in an orderly way.’’

However, Roh did not make specific comments about the North Korean nuclear issue, the additional troop dispatch to Iraq and other national security and diplomatic issues.

``I feel sorry because I failed to address the troop deployment to Iraq and other issues in which people are interested,’’ he said.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr