President Lee Myung-bak made his bi-weekly radio address Monday (Mar. 23), through which he promised to mend the nation''s welfare system and to deal sternly with government officials'' embezzlement of public money.

The President said this in reference to a Yangcheon-gu (district) official''s embezzlement of a state fund that was supposed to help the disabled.

President Lee said that government officials'' misappropriation of public money would be inexcusable under any circumstances and that those culpable would be required to return twice as much as the amount embezzled.

Also, a "real-name accounting" will be introduced soon, which aims to hold relevant government officials accountable for such misappropriation, Lee added.

President Lee emphasized that government officials should leave no stone unturned when serving the people, and said the recent misconduct is by no means understandable.

The President also pledged to let the neediest reach the welfare money earlier than anybody else by refurbishing the nation''s welfare system.

An extra budget plan has been drawn up to create 550,000 more jobs and to benefit almost one million people who have difficulties finding work, the President said.

"Job creation is the best welfare policy [in these difficult times],” Lee said. The government''s foremost policy goal is, accordingly, is to create more jobs, he stressed.

Lastly, President Lee said that the world economies are currently paying great attention to the Korean government''s financial remedies, referring to his latest talks with global economic experts at home and abroad.

Underscoring Korean people''s unyielding tenacity during difficult times in particular, President Lee emphasized that Korea would recover from economic slump faster than other countries.


  * Related Contents  :  Radio Address to the Nation by President Lee Myung-bak