By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak indirectly complained of the current political situation in which the governing Grand National Party (GNP) has less than half of the 299 National Assembly seats.
In a policy meeting with senior secretaries and other aides Wednesday, he stressed the importance of the GNP securing a majority of Assembly seats in the April 9 elections.
``Stability of the Assembly is needed for political stability,'' Lee said.
Expressing regrets, President Lee said the inauspicious political situation is blocking state affairs and the launch of his Cabinet.
He was apparently referring to the Assembly's delay of a vote Tuesday on the nomination of Han Seung-soo as prime minister.
Lee, who took office Monday, has yet to form his own Cabinet as opposition parties opposed the appointment of some of his ministerial candidates for their alleged involvement in illicit financial and real estate transactions and tax evasion.
The President called on the secretaries to overcome the situation with patience, stressing that the conservatives have taken power after 10 years of liberal governments.
Due to the delayed Cabinet formation, ministers appointed by former President Roh Moo-hyun still remain in office.
Mentioning his top policy goal of revitalizing the economy, Lee instructed the secretaries to take swift measures to curb consumer price hikes and improve the livelihood of low and middle-income earners.
``The focus of Cheong Wa Dae's policymaking should be on the livelihood of ordinary citizens,'' he stressed.
Lee said he feels heavily burdened by people's enormous expectations for economic revival, adding: ``Measures should be taken to minimize the impact of possibly rising consumer prices.''
Global economic circumstances are undesirable, he said. ``Price hikes are a global trend. The prices for grain, as well as for raw materials, are rising steeply.''
He cited flour and noodle prices, which jumped 22 percent in a single day earlier this week, threatening to damage the public's livelihood.
After meeting with his aides, President Lee visited the pressroom at Cheong Wa Dae.
The Lee administration said it will push a media policy of ``press-friendliness'' over the next five years, which is drawing attention after former President Roh closed most of the pressrooms at ministries and government agencies.