Priority to be put on economy and livelihood

President Kim Dae-Jung emphasized Monday that the administration must concentrate its efforts on the economy and the livelihood of the people in the wake of the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting in Seoul. He told the cabinet meeting held at the executive mansion Chong Wa Dae to lay the groundwork of solid economy for stable growth next year by successfully carrying through the four major reform tasks. The president asked for special care for the welfare of the underprivileged during the cold months.

President Kim is scheduled this week to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for Kunsan Free Trade Area in North Cholla Province and visit the site of Milan project (promoting textile industry) in Taegu and other industrial plants around North Kyongsang Province. Toward the end of this month he will call the cabinet members concerned to check up on the progress of 12 assigned items of the 4 major reforms and urge them to push forth these tasks.

In order to hear as diverse opinions from the scene of real economy as possible the president is to reinforce the composition and operation of the National Council of Economic Advisors under his immediate control by increasing its members from 10 up to 30. Representatives from the government will be reduced from 7 to 2 to make more room for nongovernmental members. The manner of running the council sessions will be so changed as to make it an open-ended forum where many different voices can be raised for the Chief Executive to listen to.