South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun pledged to speed up reforms and tackle corruption in a speech on Monday at the opening of parliament, where his supporters now have a majority likely to end a year of legislative deadlock.
Three months ago the National Assembly, then dominated by the opposition, voted amid scuffles to impeach Roh for breaking an election law.
Roh returned from political limbo in May after the Constitutional Court overturned that vote.
In a speech that made no mention of foreign policy plans and only a passing reference to North Korea, Roh said the economy was in trouble but not in crisis and should grow more than five percent this year after just over three percent last year.
Growth in Asia's fourth-largest economy would top six percent from 2005 despite concerns about weak domestic demand, he said.
"The economy is in trouble. The biggest problem is weak domestic consumption. Most of all, the economic conditions felt by ordinary people are poorer than ever," said Roh.
Many members of the main opposition Grand National Party showed their disdain by remaining seated as Roh left. Roh ignored them but greeted members of the ruling Uri Party.
Roh made no mention of foreign policy, including US plans to cut its troops in South Korea by a third by the end of 2005.
Comments
Comments are closed.