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Entrepreneurs Have Lost Hope, Economy in Peril if Situation Does Not Improve

Entrepreneurs Have Lost Hope, Economy in Peril if Situation Does Not Improve

Posted August. 12, 2004 21:47,   

한국어

Former President Kim Dae-jung met with Park Geun-hye, chairwoman of the Grand National Party, on August 12 and said, “The economy is in peril if the situation does not improve,” and added, “Eighty percent of the people are concerned about the economy, so please make your earnest efforts to revive the economy.”

Former President Kim repeatedly emphasized to GNP Chairwoman Park on her inauguration visit to him that “entrepreneurs have given up on hopes for the economy. The reason why Japan broke through its 10-year stagnant economy recession was because they were given hope, so the leading party and the opposition together should work their best to give hope.”

It can be analyzed that directly expressing his concerns for the economic situation was his way of expressing his discontent regarding the current administration’s economic policy management. He has restrained himself from making comments regarding current political issues since his retirement. It was the first time former President Kim and GNP Chairwoman Park had met in person to have conversations regarding current political issues.

Kim also said, “People will evaluate Chairwoman Park for your constructive ideas regarding the South-North Korea relationship,” requesting her active involvement in the South-North Korea relationship. “I know well that you’ve been to North Korea and met Kim Jong-il,” said Kim. “We have to talk to them directly there. He’s somebody with whom dialogues can work.”

Chairwoman Park said, “I would like to express my sincere apologies for what you have gone through during my father’s administration as his daughter. I would also like to thank you again for making a difficult decision regarding the memorial hall dedicated to my father,” apologizing for the political oppression during former President Park Jung-hui’s regime.

In response to this remark, he said, “I had been his political adversary. But I think he should get credit for his ‘we can do it’ spirit that he imparted to others,” adding, “So, I thought I was the right person to build the memorial hall for former President Park.”

In regard to the harmonization of Jeolla Province and Gyeongsang Province, he remarked, “If we do not succeed in the harmonization of the two regions, we can’t succeed in anything. The most unsuccessful thing among all the things I’ve done is that,” and added, “I’m sorry that I am asking Chairwoman Park to do something I was not able to accomplish, but Chairwoman Park is the right person for it, so please take pains to make efforts to do so.”



Young-Chan Yoon Seung-Heon Lee yyc11@donga.com ddr@donga.com