"Shared Growth in All Areas"

Some 1,000 representatives from several walks of life attend the meeting

President Lee Myung-bak delivers his New Year's address televised live across the nation. He stressed that North Korea must work toward peace and cooperation not only through words, but also with deeds. -countesy of Cheong Wa Bae

President Lee Myung-bak stressed the need for shared growth in all sectors to evolve into an advanced country. Lee told a New Year gathering of businessmen at COEX in southern Seoul on Jan. 5 "During this year, all sectors, large-sized companies and SMEs as well as employees and employers will hopefully ensure shared growth. To do so, they must respect each other and show restraint, then the nation could become an advanced country." He expressed wishes despite hardships that those who do business will achieve their corporate goals and pay heed to social demands and be beloved and respected by the people, and if businessmen are respected as they should be, the nation could become a truly advanced nation.
Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in his speech, "Even though North Korea's armed provocations last year have heightened misgivings, they have served as an opportunity for us to overcome these, join forces and step up national security." Korea has become one of the OECD countries with the highest growth rates coming out of the global financial crisis, he added. The KCCI chairman said, "Even if our economy is predicted to see its growth slow down a little, the nation will yield better results than forecast by expanding investments and the domestic market and aggressively exporting." The event took place with roughly 1,000 people from several walks of life in attendance, including economic, political and social circles as well as foreign diplomats.
Among those on hand at the event were KCCI Chairman Sohn; Sakong Il, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association; Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo; SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won; Doosan Group Chairman Park Yong-hyun; Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho; GS Caltex Chairman Hur Dong-soo; POSCO Chairman Chung Jun-yang; STX Group Chairman Kang Duk-soo; Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Woon-woo; LG Chem Vice Chairman Kim Ban-suk; and other economic organization representatives and businessmen. In attendance from the government side included Minister of Knowledge Economy Choi Kyung-hwan; National Assembly Speaker Park Hee-tae; Chung Un-chan, chairman of the committee; Rep. Kim Young-hwan, chairman of the National Assembly Knowledge Economy Committee; and Gov. Kim Joong-soo of the Bank of Korea.
The event was also attended by foreign diplomats and businessmen. They included Uzbekistan Ambassador Vitali V. Fen, the dean of the diplomat corps in Korea; AMCHAM President Amy Jackson; Magai Massanari, chairman of the Seoul Japan Club; and Simon Bureau, chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea. nw