President pledges unwavering efforts for economic recovery, national security in new year

   President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday her government will continue to work harder in the new year to revitalize the economy, ensure national security and fix abnormal practices deeply rooted in society.

   "We will focus our national capabilities on keeping the hard-won embers of economic recovery alive so as to revitalize the economy and stabilize the people's livelihoods," Park said in a new year's message. "I hope all of you will unite strength in laying the groundwork for an economic leap."

   But the most important precondition for economic development is national security, she said, adding that the government will maintain airtight readiness against North Korean provocations while trying to promote peace and lay the groundwork for unification on the Korean Peninsula.

   Park said she will ceaselessly pursue reforms to end corruption and other irregularities.

   "I will do my best to make the lives of fellow Koreans brim with energy and hope in the new year," she said. "Thank you for the backing and support you provided over the past year. Happy New Year." (Yonhap News)