President Park Geun-hye called on members of the business community on Monday to boost investment to bring about the nation’s second economic takeoff.

Park made the appeal at a New Year greeting session in Coex, southern Seoul, organized by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It was the president’s second official outdoor appearance this year after her visit to the National Cemetery in Seoul on New Year’s Day.

Cheong Wa Dae officials said the president’s participation in the meeting organized by the business community reflected her prioritization of economic revival.

Before hundreds of entrepreneurs, Park displayed her determination to implement the government’s three-year economic reform plan. She also expressed hope that more Korean companies would advance into overseas markets.

One noteworthy attendee was Korean Federation Trade Union leader Kim Dong-man ― the first labor union chief to participate in such an event.

Presidential officials said that this was an expression of the labor circle’s willingness to seek harmonious relations with management.

Some 1,500 business leaders and government officials pledged to play a leading role in the government’s three-year economic reform plan.

“South Korea started economic reform last year. This year should be a year for execution and consolidation of related plans,” said KCCI chairman Park Yong-maan in his keynote speech. 

“The business environment is expected to show some positive signs of recovery this year. We, the business leaders, need to come up with new missions to accelerate the nation’s economic growth.”

The attendees included heads of the nation’s five major business associations, Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Mong-koo, SK Group chairman Kim Chang-geun and Lotte Group chairman Shin Dong-bin.

Ranking government officials, including Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan, lawmakers and foreign ambassadors also joined the annual event.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)