“In this era of the forming of a new world order, we need to work hard with a mindset of starting everything anew,” said President Lee. “International bodies have recently changed their stance, saying Korea would record a positive growth next year from minus 4.5 percent growth as was predicted earlier,” the president said. “The world regards Korea''s risk management highly.”

The president said, however, it still doesn''t mean Korea has overcome the crisis completely. He pointed out that while the world at large is showing signs of recovery, countries like the United States or Japan, which also happen to be some of Korea''s biggest export markets, are yet to make a full comeback.

“In order to keep up the competitiveness of existing major industries like shipyards, cars, semiconductors and cell phones, we need to combine them with information technology, nanotechnology and biotechnology. And to secure core source technology we need to maintain steady expansion in R&D investment.” President Lee then explained that he''d increased next year''s R&D budget by about 14 percent and would pull up Korea''s GDP by 5 percent by 2012 to back up businesses.

The speech also touched on the importance of environment-friendly technology. “Reducing greenhouse gases would be a burden for individual companies for the time being but needs to be done as it could heighten the competitiveness for export in the long run,” he said saying the government would also work together to relieve industry''s burden and set up customized measures for gas emission quotas.

“Along with emission reductions, we need to make bold investment in green technology,” the president said. “We need to heighten energy efficiency through new sources of energy, such as renewable ones, and pour the best of our efforts to develop a smart grid, carbon capture & storage technology and other low-carbon technology.”

The president went on to mention the rise in demand for various plant facilities such as nuclear plants, oil refineries and fresh water facilities. He said such is the example of a true conversion industry, as it brings together design and construction, which is a combination of software and hardware. “This is also the field where Korea has already proved its worth and is highly likely to be nurtured as a future field of exports,” he said.

“In the not too distant future, we''ll reach an era of US$500 billion exports and a trade volume worth $1 trillion,” President Lee said. “By next year, Korea as the hosting nation of the G20 Financial summit, will further upgrade the country''s image, changing the so-called “Korea discount” to a “Korea Premium.”