LEE MYUNG-BAK

Fiscal crises often turn into financial crises, dealing a blow to the real economy.

First of all, I think all countries in the world have agreed it is not in anyone's interest to test-fire a missile, or whatever its is.

Korea is an open society and we will make sure that there is no restriction on foreign investment in Korea.

My wife, well she has extensive experience, because before becoming the first lady, she was the wife of the CEO of a large conglomerate. So I have very high hopes that she will carry out her job successfully as first lady of the Republic of Korea.

From the Chinese perspective, Korea ranks about third or fourth in terms of trading volume and about third in terms of investment.

One of the most important reasons for North Korea continuing its nuclear ambitions is to consolidate the power to stay within the Kim Jong Il family.

I think it's safe to say that it's rather premature for anyone to make any initial assessment or analysis of Kim Jong-un, or have an accurate impression on Kim Jong-un.

With the lessons taken from the financial crisis in 1997, the Republic of Korea has been able to surmount the global economic crisis rather successfully.

The endgame is peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula.

I plan to eliminate regulations that hinder domestic companies, particularly large conglomerates from investing in other companies.

For us, from Korea's perspective, China is the number one investment destination as well as number one trading partner.

Including myself, the majority of the Korean people believe in this staunch alliance between Korea and the United States and all of us hope that our traditional alliance will be further strengthened in the future.

Merit should count more than academic background.

I plan to eliminate the equity cap in investment, and I also plan large-scale deregulation to meet global standards.

I think within Japan there is talk about how there is the need to reassess the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

I'm well aware of the people's wishes.

I will serve the people in a very humble way.

I plan to lower corporate taxes to create an environment that encourages companies to invest more.

Well when I was young, actually not just me, but we were all poor. Korea used to be one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite such circumstances, I was very, very fortunate to be blessed with having parents who always instilled in a spirit of can-do spirit.

When the Korean economy was just trying to get back on its feet after the war, having parks was a luxury.

The Nuclear Security Summit was President Obama's initiative born out of his vision to leave behind a safer, more prosperous world for the future generation.

I know that throughout their history, the people of the United States defended their freedom, their liberty, their justice, and their rights - if need be - with their lives. I think their courage is so admirable.

Talking about Korea, it has pretty high capital ratios at banks and maintains a good credit rating.

Fortunately, when Korea was struck by the 1997/8 financial crisis, that was a good opportunity for us to engage in fundamental reforms and strengthen our financial structure. As a result, our financial regulatory structure and regime have been very much strengthened.

If we are to assume that North Korea becomes a nuclear-power state, of course the danger of having an all-out nuclear war, that possibility is very slim.