By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak warned of a possible moral problem among senior public officials this year, Monday, as he entered the third year of his five-year tenure.
``This year marks a turning point for this administration. We should tighten our belts further because moral hazards among those in power can discourage people,'' Lee said during a weekly meeting with his secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae.
The remarks indicate that the government may step up its drive to strengthen the integrity of officialdom in an effort to prevent Lee from becoming an early lame duck, sources from the presidential office said.
The administration is preparing ceremonies to celebrate the second anniversary of the Lee government on Thursday.
``We will hold events in a small way as the country is still suffering economic difficulties. We will rather take them as an opportunity to renew our resolve to give hope and courage to the people,'' presidential spokesman Park Sun-kyoo said.
Lee called for the secretaries to have a sense of responsibility and keep a close eye on the public, Park said.
The government is expected to take measures to strengthen monitoring of corruption cases involving senior government officials, politicians and other social leaders.
``Lee's comments reflect calls that we need to tackle crimes committed by those in the upper echelons of power with a sense of urgency because it is a matter of national pride,'' the spokesman said.
``Rooting out corruption among social leaders is one of the key challenges we face to improve the country's reputation abroad. Their integrity is closely related to national competitiveness.''
jj@koreatimes.co.kr
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