Roh to Seek Inter-Korean Peace Treaty
2003-02-21
President-elect Roh Moo-hyun's administration aims to ensure the long-term security of the Korean peninsula by forming a peace treaty with North Korea within its five-year tenure, according to a policy report released by the incoming government Friday (Feb. 21).
To establish a peace mechanism on the peninsula, the incoming government should try to end the unstable ceasefire situation, the report said.
The presidential transition committee submitted its final report on 12-point national policy agenda for the new government during the last general meeting of subcommittee directors, presided over by Roh.
The 60-page report presented a three-phase strategy to bring peace to the peninsula: the settlement of North Korean nuclear issue; the acceleration of inter-Korean cooperation; and the establishment of lasting peace by signing a peace treaty. The transition team advised Roh to make constant efforts to regularize inter-Korean talks, including leader's summits, and ease military tension on the heavily fortified peninsula. The report also recommended the establishment of a consultative body for peace in Northeast Asia, comprising the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia.
In order to build a free, fair and transparent market economy, the transition body presented tough conglomerate reform plans. Roh's administration will likely introduce a system to give the state the authority to order financial firms to dispose of their financial arms, the report said.
It will also push for the introduction of a ''comprehensive tax system'' to close loopholes in inheritance and gift taxes. Big businesses will be ordered to disclose stakes held by owners and their relatives.
The committee also recommended introducing a public suit system under which people could file suits against unfair budget spending by central and local government agencies.
To eradicate corruption in the officialdom, the presidential office of Chong Wa Dae will operate a special squad to investigate high-profile government officials involved in influence-peddling scandals. The special prosecution team would be introduced temporarily until the state prosecution's political neutrality had taken a firm root. The National Police Agency would likely be given some investigative independence for crimes relating to people's livelihood and public security.
In an effort to reduce social discrimination, the incoming government will give preferential bidding rights for state projects to those companies that recruit more women, disabled people and graduates from provincial colleges.
Source : www.korea.net
