Monday, 25 February 2008

New South Korea president plans to develop market economy


itar-tass.com
25.02.2008

SEOUL, February 25 (Itar-Tass) -- The inauguration ceremony of the 17th South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak, was held on the square in front of the South Korean National Assembly building on Monday. Lee Myung-bak won a convincing victory at the general presidential elections on December 19, 2007.

Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov attended the inauguration ceremony. He is expected to meet with Lee Myung-bak later.

The inauguration ceremony included the performance of the state anthem, taking an oath, the performance of a military orchestra and the march of the guard of honor, an artillery salute and an inaugural speech of the new president. In his inaugural speech Lee Myung-bak presented his position on the ways for the development of the country as a market economy and the spread of pragmatic ideals in the society. He intends to seek the invigoration of economy through decentralization tendencies and market reforms, to improve the life quality for people by creating new jobs and reforms in the education system, and to provide favorable conditions for foreign investors and cut the number of state officials.

After the inauguration ceremony Lee Myung-bak welcomed about 180 foreign guests, who arrived in Seoul. He met with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice represented the United States, State Councilor of the State Council Tang Jiaxuan represented China, Director General Vitaly Ignatenko represented the Itar-Tass news agency. Ignatenko received a personal invitation from Lee Myung-bak during their meeting in Seoul in November 2007.

About 45,000 people, including foreign workers and tourists, employees of foreign companies operating in South Korea and ethnic Koreans living in other countries attended the inauguration ceremony.

No comments:

Post a Comment