Quotations of the day

Government officials in charge of economic affairs are likely to fall into a trap -- the temptation to put their best foot forward as long as they stay in office by presenting favorable macro-economic indicators like price rises and growth rates. (A former chief presidential economic aide Friday during a speech to the Open Political Forum, a gathering of reformist National Assemblymen belonging to the Millennium Democratic Party.)

Since it was a sensitive matter that could turn out either way -- a medicine if used well, but a poison if used wrongfully -- opinions were divided. (A member of the Democratic Labor Union commenting on the government's appropriation of 2 billion won out of next year's budget as subsidy for the union, which was legalized in November 1999.)

Korea's economic crisis was a major wake-up call to local enterprises, and demonstrated to them the importance of core technology and cash flow. (Park Yong-Sung, chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his address to a forum on the Korean economy held in London Friday.)

Various opinions given by colleagues and people on the street are taken into account for investigation, distinguishing between the trustworthy and the untrustworthy. (Prosecution officials investigating the loan scandal involving the Credit Guarantee Fund Friday, referring to frequent telephone calls and faxes received from outsiders posing as voluntary informants.)