President Lee launched a "national elders advisory council" and held its first meeting at Cheong Wa Dae Thursday (Mar. 12).

At the venue were 54 erstwhile leaders of society, including former Prime Minister Hyun Seung‐jong, poet and Sukmyung Women''s University professor Kim Nam‐jo, former POSCO CEO Park Tae‐joon and many others.

During the meeting, the President listened to the advice of the elders on ways to recover from the current economic crisis, as well as suggestions on other major administrative issues.

The President also explained to them the government''s policy for economic revival, nationwide jobsharing movements and his North Korean policy.

The council, composed of sometime political, economic, educational and cultural leaders, is to offer direct advice to the President on overall national policies based upon public opinion.