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President Roh Moo-hyun said Saturday he would not take excessive measures to support the Korean economy, saying, ¡°If you unreasonably pump injections, vitamins and stimulant drugs into your economy because you¡¯re worried about it, there will definitely be side affects in two to three years.¡± Speaking in a discussion session with Korean-Americans at the Century City St. Regis Hotel near Los Angeles, Roh said, ¡°If we properly know economic principles and adjust ourselves to them, we¡¯ll definitely succeed.¡±
About recent controversy over whether Roh¡¯s economic policies could be considered ¡°leftist,¡± Roh said, ¡°The issues of growth and distribution are like two sides of the same coin...To divide things into left and right is an old way of thinking.¡± In particular, he stressed that polarization was one of the major economic issues, saying, ¡°Gaps like the one in technology between large and small-midsized firms and one in wages between large company workers and workers for small-midsized firms and irregular workers are serious.¡±
About his upcoming summit meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush in Santiago, Chile scheduled for Nov. 20, Roh said, ¡°A few days from now, I will consult closely with President Bush and do everything I can to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue as quickly as possible.¡± Concerning fears being felt in some quarters about worsening Korea-U.S. ties, he said, ¡°I will clear up any concerns in the Korea-U.S. relationship... Because of the Korean Peninsula¡¯s strategic location, it¡¯s not a place the U.S. would easily give up on, even if it was a headache for Washington.¡±
About political participation rights for overseas Koreans, Roh said, ¡°Firstly, we must ensure that those Koreans in the civilian sector who have been stationed overseas can exercise their right to vote.¡± Concerning Korea¡¯s mandatory military service requirements, he said, ¡°I think we need some flexibility as long as exemptions to that citizen duty are not misused... Overseas Koreans will not be given any benefits or special treatment, but I will see that they do not experience disadvantages, either.¡±
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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