“Successful Host of World Cup, Realization of Fair Election“

We wish you all a year of hope and blessing. This year is a year of hope and expectation more than ever.

The success of World Cup and the Busan Asian Game will be the stepping stone for the national prosperity in the 21st century. Especially, the successful host of World Cup, which is the first global festival since the terrorist attacks in the U.S. last year, will be a great help to peace and security of the whole world. Let`s make it successful by uniting people`s power.

There will be presidential election and local election this year. The government will maintain the political neutrality of the government officials and the environment of clean and fair election. The government will take stern measures against antipatriotic behaviors such as bad rumors and the aggravation of regionalism which appear in every election time.

The most important matter is to realize the world`s top competitiveness by continuously pushing forward with the economic reform. We will try to develop the South-North relationship as much as possible without rushing or stopping based on the strong national security and the public opinion.

ysmo@donga.com