South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun pledged to speed up reforms and tackle corruption in a speech on Monday at the opening of parliament, where his supporters now have a majority that could end a year of legislative deadlock.

Three months ago the National Assembly, then dominated by the opposition, voted amid scuffles to impeach Roh for breaking an election law. Roh returned from political limbo in May after the Constitutional Court overturned that vote.

In a speech that made no mention of foreign policy plans and only a passing reference to North Korea, Roh said the economy was in trouble but not in crisis and should grow more than five percent this year after just over three percent last year.

Growth in Asia's fourth-largest economy would top six percent from 2005 despite concerns about weak domestic demand, he said.

"The economy is in trouble. The biggest problem is weak domestic consumption. Most of all, the economic conditions felt by ordinary people are poorer than ever," said Roh.

"But I can say for sure our economy is definitely not in crisis. There are difficulties but they fall short of a crisis."

Many members of the main opposition Grand National Party showed their disapproval by remaining seated as Roh left. For his part, Roh greeted members of the ruling Uri Party but ignored the opposition.

But Park Geun-hye, leader of the Grand National Party, struck a more conciliatory tone in a private meeting with Roh later, telling him he need not worry about opposition if he sought to improve the economy, according to a participant.

Roh spent the first year of his single five-year term battling an opposition-led parliament that thwarted his efforts to change laws on labour, minority shareholder rights, pension funds and accounting transparency, among other plans.

In his speech, Roh said the economy, largely driven by exports, could weather a potential shock from a slowing Chinese economy, higher oil prices and possible U.S. interest rate rise.

Source: CD/Agencies