Lee Plans Korean Version of Fireside Chats
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak is considering giving a nationally-aired radio address each Monday to seek public understanding of his policies and to appeal for national unity to tide over the ongoing economic troubles, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.
The speech, lasting about 10 minutes during the morning rush hour, will focus on addressing concerns about the turmoil on the financial market and the slumping economy. Lee will also appeal for public support for his policies.
The presidential office got inspiration from ``fireside chats,'' the radio speeches given by then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt to the citizens of New York during the Great Depression in the 1930s to seek public support for his economic recovery programs, according to his aides.
Lee plans to give the radio address every Monday on different topics, such as inter-Korean relations, private education, the slumping real estate market and the government's public sector reform.
``Lee has always wanted to talk directly and frankly to the public about his vision and ideas. Through the radio speeches, he will appeal for public support to overcome ongoing economic difficulties and explain government policies,'' a presidential spokesman said. ``As President Roosevelt promoted his economic recovery programs through the fireside chats, Lee will seek confidence in his policies through direct communication with the public.''
Cheong Wa Dae will tape-record Lee's speech first and then deliver them to radio broadcasters. It is up to broadcasters whether to air his speeches, the office said.
Lee initially planned to give the first speech after the parliamentary inspection of government agencies ends on Oct. 25, but advanced the schedule as concerns are deepening over the global financial turmoil.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun pushed for a regular radio address to the public in 2003, but the then main opposition Grand National Party opposed it, saying Roh was trying to use radio as a propaganda tool. Roh later canceled the plan.
``The government's major policies and visions have not been properly conveyed to the public, giving rise to public misunderstanding in many cases. President Lee wants to ease the misunderstanding through the radio speeches,'' the spokesman said.