President Kim Dae Joong Views Economic Situation Optimistically

President Kim Dae Joong said, `` Domestic consumption is boosting and the construction field is getting better.`` He added, `` Although IMF and IBRD are still pointing out problems of Korean economy, they do not regard our economic situation as bad.``

In Chung Wa Dae, President Kim Dae Jung said this while leading the supreme committee of the ruling Democratic Party. According to the spokesman Chun Young-Hack, President Kim emphasized that the ``difficulties for export are due to domestic problems as well as outside one. We should have more top quality merchandises of the world in order to survive in the time of the survival of the fittest.``

President Kim said, `` Now we have only 65 top quality merchandises of the world; and I will do my best to provide various supports in order to increase the number to 200 by next year, and to 300 by the year after next.``

On the issue of tax evasion, President Kim said, ``The investigation will be done according to the law and the principle with respect of people`s opinion.``

In the supreme committee, a member Lee In- Jae proposed ``a radical release of the regulations to boost investment and the tax reform.``

Another member Kim Kun-Tae proposed, ``the discussion with people on the economic issue before the National Assembly.``

In the committee, member Park Sang-Chun said, ``It is desirable to hold a committee in league with the ruling and the opposition parties on the issue of South-North relationship as well as economic issues.``

Yoon Jong-Koo jkmas@donga.com