By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
Former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak vowed to cut the vicious circle of poverty by creating more jobs if elected president in the Dec. 19 election.
``People tend to think that welfare programs are like a spending spree. That is not true,’’ the former CEO of the Hyundai group said. ``If elected president, I will work on the creation of a welfare service industry and expand financial incentives to elderly citizens who own start-up businesses.’’
In a press conference yesterday after he registered his candidacy for the nomination race of the major opposition Grand National Party, Lee said economic prosperity will bring a trickle-down effect in job creation, adding that this was one of the best welfare policies.
He pledged to work to build the infrastructure for social security programs and, consequently, play a role in creating a virtuous circle of growth.
Lee also vowed to provide free childcare services to infants, support private childcare centers to provide quality services to families and introduce family visit services to every household having children three years old or younger.
Nicknamed ``bulldozer,” Lee has proposed a canal project as his flagship campaign pledge. The controversial project, dubbed the ``Pan-Korea Grand Waterway,’’ is to link rivers running through the nation by building three canals _ Gyeongbu, Honam and Bukhan.
He said that through the waterways, the nation can expect an innovation in logistics, balanced regional development, improved water quality and costs reduced by approximately one-third.
Waterways are more economic than highways and railways because land expropriation costs are cheaper, so they can help reduce logistics costs, Lee’s aides said.
He urged President Roh Moo-hyun to stop waging a verbal fight with his opponents.
``I warn Roh. Don’t quarrel with the Constitution. Don’t quarrel with the public,’’ Lee, 66, said in his first speech as a registered presidential candidate to run in the Grand National Party’s (GNP) nomination race slated for Aug. 19.
Lee also said Roh is struggling to conceal his mismanagement of state affairs during the twilight of his presidency by pushing for closure of pressrooms at ministries.
``If he continues to repeat these (unproductive quarrels), his administration will face strong resistance from the public,’’ Lee said.
Lee said that Roh’s primary and contingent goal is to bar the GNP candidate from becoming the next president.
The front-runner in the presidential race has been under suspicion of owning some 800 billion won (about $850 million) under other names. He has denied the allegation.