Japanese editorial excerpts -3-

TOKYO, Feb. 27 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

S. KOREA'S NEW PRESIDENT (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Feb. 26)

South Korea's new president, Lee Myung Bak, took office Monday amid various expectations among the people. First of all, South Koreans are hoping that Lee will dispel the dark clouds of frustration that have been hanging over the nation since around the time predecessor Roh Moo-hyun's presidency passed its halfway point.

Even more important for the people of the country than a change of leadership, however, is an economic renewal. Discontent among South Koreans about the current state of their nation's economy is much larger than the public in Japan could imagine.

Lee is fully aware of that. He devoted much of his inaugural speech to talking about his plans to revive the economy and bolster welfare and programs for a stronger social security and safety.

Lee has been called by some ''a bulldozer equipped with a computer.'' Given Lee's track record as a competent chief of a large company and a municipal government, it is not surprising that South Koreans are pinning their hopes on his ability to get things done. With expectations for his leadership so high, however, he could easily disappoint the public if he fails to produce tangible results within a short period of time.

Lee's pet phrase is ''pragmatism.'' That means focusing on pursuing actual benefits in a practical way based on rational thinking as opposed to acting according to ideological beliefs.

He said that a new horizon of cooperation would appear if North Korea abandoned its nuclear program and chose the path to openness. The statement indicates he will adopt an approach based on merit to dealing with the neighbor while maintaining his passion for racial unification.

He chose Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda for his first meeting with a foreign leader on Monday. That was probably a gesture to show he places great importance on South Korea's relations with Japan. Lee has also pledged to solidify his country's alliance with the United States and strengthen its ties with other neighbors like China and Russia.

Lee has also displayed strong interest in closer cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea and among Japan, China and South Korea. Crucial for such cooperation are progress in the six-party talks over North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Lee is expected to visit Japan as early as late April. His attendance at the Group of Eight summit in July in Toyako, Hokkaido is also being planned. Fukuda and Lee should build up mutual trust between the two countries through their frequent contacts.

(Feb. 27)

COPYRIGHT 2008 Kyodo News International, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning