President Lee Myung-bak received policy briefings from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at Cheong Wa Dae on Saturday (Dec. 27).

At the year-end policy reports to the President, both ministries explained how they will contribute to reviving the worsening economy by creating job opportunities. Annual policy briefs had usually taken place in January, but President Lee moved up the date this year in order to normalize the national economy as early as possible.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon said that his ministry will create 18,000 new jobs in social services, arts exhibition business, and green tourism projects. The ministry will also hire hundreds of trainee-interns at its headquarters and nationwide arts associations with a view to contributing to reducing the number of the jobless to some extent. It will also train some 4,000 arts and culture experts by running professional schools.

The Culture Ministry also said it will promote the restoration of four major rivers -- Han, Geum, Yeongsan and Nakdong Rivers -- in earnest to turn them into fascinating resort areas. The ministry pledged to expand green infrastructure, including bicycle lanes, along the river banks.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said it will also join hands in job creation. It will not only create 50,000 new jobs, but also double scholarship programs exclusively for students from low-income families. The ministry will increase the posts for educational service assistants, special education trainers, English education experts, and trainee-interns at central and local education facilities. Budget for the education of children from low-income families will increase to 842 billion won next year from this year''s 757 billion won.

President Lee said at the briefings that culture, education and science are the three most important elements in determining the nation''s growth potential and gauging the level of its future success.