By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak urged economic policymakers and private firms Monday to step up their efforts to create jobs, saying the sluggish job market was one of the biggest challenges for Korea despite its surging international status.
``Korea's overseas reputation is improving fast, but we should not be complacent yet as we still face the daunting task of creating jobs,'' Lee said in a biweekly address to the nation.
Recalling his recent trip to Switzerland to participate in the World Economic Forum, he said the world expects Korea to play a larger role in establishing a new economic order as well as addressing global imbalance.
``South Korea is transforming itself from a country that follows rules set by other nations into one of the nations that sets the rules,'' Lee said. ``Our success itself is inspiring many countries to have dreams and hope.''
Despite the accomplishments, however, the President said it was premature for Korea to be complacent.
``Given the agony of jobless people, we should not be relaxed even for a moment. Creating jobs is the best policy for citizens and welfare,'' the former corporate CEO said.
``Just as South Korea got out of the global economic crisis at a fast pace, I will strive to make the country an exemplary country in terms of job creation.''
Lee called for companies to support such government efforts.
``The role of the corporate and the civilian sector is as important as that of the government in resolving the worldwide problem of jobless growth,'' Lee said. ``That is why South Korea plans to host a business summit, which will draw a large number of global business leaders, together with the G-20 Summit in November.''
Lee noted that global political and business leaders he met in Switzerland expect Seoul to play a bigger role on the global stage, especially in bridging the gap between advanced and developing nations.
Last November, the country joined the OECD's Development Assistance Committee, a group of donor countries, becoming the first-and-only nation to shift its position from a recipient of international aid to a donor.