By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter


President Roh Moo-hyun said on Wednesday that South Korea will begin formal negotiations to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States as soon as differing views currently hindering the talks are fine-tuned.
In his New Year’s special speech, titled ``Let’s Prepare for Future With Responsible Attitude,’’ he stressed that a free trade pact with the United States, which has been a close ally for more than five decades, is in the interest of South Korea.

``We have been pursuing FTAs with a number of countries,’’ he said in the address, which was broadcast live on television across the country. ``We also have to conclude one with the United States for the future of our economy.’’

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have said that an FTA with Washington would not only benefit South Korea’s economy but would help fortify the alliance between the two countries which has lasted for the past five decades.

But they said Seoul and Washington have not yet reached an agreement on when and how to launch the talks for the trade pact. The two sides have cleared obstacles such as the differences over the rice and beef trade, but they still remain at odds over such thorny issues as South Korea’s screen quota system.

Roh also called for a national consensus to overcome widening socioeconomic polarization, spending a lot of time in his 40-minute speech on the issue which has become a key problem facing the country.

``I have a cause for anxiety. In general, we can say that the economy is going well. But, when we look inside, there is a serious problem _ polarization,’’ he said. ``We must solve this problem.’’

He said a key solution to polarization, which exists between regular and non-regular workers, conglomerates and small and medium-sized firms as well as the haves and have-nots, is more jobs.

He said his administration would exert the utmost effort this year to create more jobs through the growth of the information-technology industry, expansion of the knowledge-based industry and promotion of the public service sector.

The president also touched on chronic problems such as real estate speculation, excessive private education and the declining birthrate coupled with the aging society.

He pledged that his administration would come up with measures to address those problems and redouble efforts to expand the social safety net for the weak, including those in low-income brackets and those who cannot work for whatever reason.

``To solve all these problems and face our future tasks, our society should become one in which every constituent member thinks and acts with a responsible attitude,’’ he said.

Roh called for a new thinking, a mind-set facing up to reality squarely, criticism with alternatives, dialogue and compromise as well as the determination to achieve co-prosperity among different social, political and economic groups.

The presidential speech was broadcast live beginning at 10 p.m. at the Kim Koo Museum in central Seoul with about 200 citizens from various walks of life and 100 public servants attending. Several Cabinet ministers were also present at the event.

Chong Wa Dae officials said Roh refrained from touching on pending political issues and focused on major state issues as he is also scheduled to hold a New Year’s press conference next Wednesday.

Kim Man-soo, presidential spokesman, said Roh would also present his views in a more concrete form on the third anniversary of his inauguration Feb. 25 dealing with the risks facing Korean society and the nation’s future strategies.

jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr