President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday that his administration did not engage in adequate communications with the Korean public in regard to the U.S. beef controversy.
Lee made the remark during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. ``In regard to food safety and public health, the government should always engage in full-scale communications. Our administration should acknowledge that we perhaps fell short of that goal.''
``From now on, we will make communicating with the public a top priority.''
The government acknowledges the people's interest in food safety, the President said.
His statement is regarded as a de facto apology to the people for his administration's failure to explain the beef import deal. According to the latest KBS survey, 78 percent of Koreans criticized the deal and 62 percent believe President Lee should apologize it.