By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak pledged Thursday to increase state subsidies for working mothers and provide more nurseries and daycare centers in an effort to boost the country's birthrate.
"The number of working moms has surged, but they are raising children under poor conditions," President Lee said during a visit to a daycare center in southern Seoul. "The administration is paying attention to their difficulties and will take the necessary measures to assist them."
Lee's visit to the daycare center came after he emphasized "centrist pragmatism" and policies for ordinary citizens in an apparent bid to restore public confidence in the governing camp.
He had a "town meeting" with working mothers and nannies, and discussed measures to ease their difficulties.
The moms complained about soaring nursing costs and a shortage of daycare centers that provide good services at cheap prices. Lee instructed officials at the scene to take measures to answer their concerns, a presidential spokesman said.
At a prayer meeting in Seoul earlier in the day, Lee said he would focus on improving the livelihoods of ordinary people and the less-privileged.
"The global economic crisis is challenging for all people, but it is tougher for ordinary citizens," Lee said. "My mission is to serve their needs, create jobs for them and revive the economy to help Korea become a globally respected and advanced country."
Earlier, Lee instructed the administration to take measures to cut private education costs for parents and reduce youth unemployment rates, raising speculation that he is adjusting his state policy priorities to win more support from ordinary people.
Critics called the move "politically motivated," saying it is part of efforts to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters, with the local elections slated for June next year.
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
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