Roh pledges S Korean reforms

Jon · Korean Citizen Joined: Mar 19, 2004 Posts: 509

Roh pledges S Korean reforms

President Roh may now have more leverage in parliament
South Korea's President Roh Moo-hyun has pledged to press ahead with economic reforms and tackle corruption.
Opening a new parliamentary session, Mr Roh also dismissed claims that the country's economy was in crisis.

Mr Roh said the economy was in trouble but not in crisis, and should grow by more than 5% this year.

Mr Roh was restored to power last month after an impeachment vote was thrown out. His supporters hope he has emerged strengthened to carry out reforms.

"The biggest problem is weak domestic consumption. Most of all, the economic conditions felt by ordinary people are poorer than ever," said Mr Roh.

He also admitted that the economy was threatened by high oil prices and possible increases in US interest rates.

But he said: "I will push ahead directly with market reform to establish a fair and transparent market system."

He also vowed to tackle corruption and cut bureaucracy.

Mr Roh spent the first year of his five-year term battling an opposition-led parliament that blocked many of his plans - such as changes to labour laws, pension funds and accounting transparency.

But the president may now have the power to push through his proposals, and end the legislative deadlock in South Korean politics.

In March the National Assembly, then dominated by the opposition, voted to impeach Mr Roh for breaking an election law.

But he returned from political limbo last month, after the vote was overturned by the Constitutional Court.

In a further boost to Mr Roh, the pro-government Uri Party - which the president has now officially joined - won the majority of seats during April's parliamentary election.

One of the most pressing tasks now facing Mr Roh is to nominate a new prime minister.

Officials say he has yet to decide on a replacement for Goh Kun, who retired late last month after 40 years of public service and nine weeks as acting president during Mr Roh's impeachment.