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New S Korean govt to focus on employment, welfare: president
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-07 13:08

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday said the new government will make efforts on providing better jobs and welfare services to people, especially for the disabled.

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Last week, Chung Un-chan, former head of the Seoul National University was appointed as nominee for prime minister, and changes were also made in six ministries. The new government will make further efforts to help people "realize their dreams",  Lee said in his bi-weekly national address broadcast via radio.

"Jobs is not only a means to make money, and, more importantly, it provides a way to live with dignity and happiness," Lee said.

Lee pledged the government will work to create job opportunities that suit people with specific disabilities, and will start paying disability pension starting from July and provide free long-term medical services from 2011.

"About 90 percent of the disabled acquire their disabilities due to accident or acquired causes, which means it can happen to any of us," Lee said, noting that "building a society where the disabled can live happily is building a country where everyone can enjoy a happy, safe life."