Good morning, fellow Koreans,

Today I am giving my 50th radio address to the nation. I am grateful to you all for having listened to it over the past two years since October 2008. Now, I would like to speak with you about the questions and suggestions posted up on the bulletin board of Cheong Wa Dae website, Twitter and me2DAY, a Korean microblog service.

 
On several occasions, I have had chances to meet with many citizens online in real time to listen to what they have to say. I am very thankful to them for their patience with my slow two-fingered hunt-and-peck typing in answering their questions.
 

Mr. Cho Yoon-gil posted this suggestion: “Would you please help improve the job market this year? I am desperate to ask this favor of you.”

 
It is true that many young people I have met online told me candidly about their difficulties in getting a job. As President, I feel so much regret. I have all along regarded job opportunities as the most important ingredient in welfare. For this reason, job creation has always been the centerpiece of all government policies. Fortunately, the economy has begun to turn around, and approximately 320,000 new jobs have been created up through August this year. In addition, according to some statistics, the unemployment rate in Korea has dwindled by the largest margin among the OECD member nations.
 
 
It is, however, also true that job seekers and many other people cannot feel the recent economic recovery yet. Statistics show that our situation is better than those of advanced countries, but job creation is still the most pressing problem for Korea as well, owing to a sophisticated economic structure.

 
In a bid to deal with such changes in the economic environment, the Government last week announced five tasks to encourage job creation with a view to achieving growth, employment and welfare simultaneously. These policies are aimed at reaching an employment rate of 70 percent by 2020. On top of these, the Government will strive to create some 70,000 new jobs mainly in public institutions to address youth unemployment within the next two years.

 
Here is another posting by Mr. Park Mun-su. I guess he is probably working in the science and technology field. He suggested how researchers in the MS and Ph.D. programs at government-funded science and technology institutions could be fostered as start-up businessmen equipped with future-oriented innovative technologies. It seems to be a very good idea. I hope he will be able to realize his dream of becoming a world-renowned venture businessman.
 

It is science and technology that will eventually generate future growth engines. To have yet another economic growth surge will require original technologies. As of October 1, the Government has reshaped the Presidential Advisory Council for Science and Technology into a standing administrative commission chaired by the President. The Government will work as hard as it can to help create an environment where young scientists can take up challenges without fearing failure. I am making a pledge that I will take a personal interest in this issue.
 

Mr. Choi Jae-cheon put forward a good suggestion. He wrote, “In nurturing talented people who can outdo Steve Jobs and domestic businesses that can outpace Apple and Google, the Government role is very significant in Korea.” As he mentioned, the Government role is very important. Still, the driving force for economic development and the core of a liberal economy are creative ideas and entrepreneurship in the private sector. For its part, the Government will continue to make efforts to create a level-playing field where creative ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit can come into bloom.
 

A homemaker Choi Hyun-heui said, “I am almost on the verge of an emotional breakdown because of the skyrocketing prices.” Basically, prices depend on market conditions. However, the Government has been paying keen attention to consumer prices, as they are a burden on low-income families. Such endeavors will be continued. With regard to important daily necessities, the supply and demand will be quickly adjusted responding to price fluctuations.
 

Because of a monopoly and price-fixing by middlemen, farmers who worked really hard often sell their produce cheaply but, in the end, the consumers are forced to pay dearly. The Government will endeavor to root out these unfair practices by improving the distribution structure of agricultural and maritime products.

Mr. Kim Jung-an, a member of the merchant’s association in the Jungbu market in Seoul, sent a letter to express his appreciation for allowing convenient street parking around traditional markets. A truly welcoming piece of news was that his sales on the Chuseok holidayssoared by 20 percent. Given the highly positive responses to this measure, street parking around traditional markets will be permitted not only on important holidays but also on weekends and legal holidays. Starting this month, the measure took effect around about 140 traditional markets. Any shortcomings will be remedied so that it will contribute to revitalizing traditional markets.

 
Mr. Choi Yong-suk expressed his opinion by saying, “There is a proverb that it is hard to swallow bitter medicine that is good for health, and good advice is harsh to the ear. I hope ideas opposing government policies will also be listened to very carefully.” As he pointed out, public opinions are of great significance. Reasonable criticisms will be helpful in improving government policies.

 
When it comes to government policies, the interests of many different parties are at stake. For this reason, I am making great endeavors to listen to public opinions on various policy issues. Continuing to ask myself about the fairness of policies, I will carefully reflect public opinions in the implementation of policies.
 

Several other people posted messages as well. Mr. Choi Gee-woo said: “Civil servants should avoid vain discussions in office and instead work with the citizens in the field. What is more important is that they should first learn to serve the people with a humble attitude. Mr. Park Jong-won said: “Make sure you personally confirm what the government employees do. I want to feel the actual impact of government policies.”
 

The two citizens made very valid suggestions, and I thank them. In fact, I am well aware of the importance of working in the field and have tried to meet as many citizens as possible. I also encourage other civil servants to do the same. But I know what we do is not nearly enough. I will try even more to go to where the action is. In that way, I will be better able to care for ordinary people and formulate polices that reflect their needs.
 

Ms. Suh I-jung asked, “Why is the G20 Seoul Summit shaking the whole country? How much more important is it than ASEM or APEC?” That is a good question. Yes, it is more important than many other international conferences. It is the highest international consultative body dealing with the global economy. Through the Seoul Summit, advanced and emerging economies will delve into ways to effectively overcome the latest economic crisis and achieve sustained growth in the future. As the chair and host of the summit, the Republic has the mighty responsibility to induce an agreement on many important international issues. For the first time in the history of Korea, the country will be serving as a protagonist in world affairs contributing to the prosperity and stability of the global village.
 

A particular importance of the Seoul Summit can be found in the fact that it is the first to be held in Asia or outside a small group of advanced nations. The Government will do its best to meet the high expectations of the international community and to yield the intended results through the Seoul Summit. I hope every citizen will proactively support the important meeting with pride and self-esteem so that it will be a great success.
 

My fellow Koreans,
 

Today, Korean society is characterized by an active online exchange of information and opinions. I hope our online culture will progress in a free, yet responsible fashion. I myself intend to try to engage in two-way communication with the general public through the social media. In this way, I will be able to hear your views at close range and convey to you what I truly believe. I thank the citizens who sent me valuable suggestions. In the future, I promise to try to meet you as often as possible.
 

Thank you very much.