South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Sunday called for national confidence over the country's future.

Delivering a speech at a ceremony marking South Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Roh stressed that what the country needs most is confidence.

He pointed out that South Korea was one of the first countries to overcome the 1997 Asian financial crisis and has since pushed forward with economic growth through innovation and creativity.

Speaking in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, he said "We must regain the confidence and drive to decide our own destiny."

He pointed out that through such endeavors the country can playa pivotal role in setting a new order for the region and lay the foundations for the transformation of the country into a economic hub for Northeast Asia.

Roh also emphasized that the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula must be handled peacefully and as quickly as possible. He pointed out that once this matter is resolved, South Korea willoffer extensive assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Source: Xinhua