Anchor: Despite the International Monetary Fund's two-point-seven percent economic growth outlook for South Korea this year, Seoul's Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho says the government is still working on achieving a three-point-one percent growth target. Speaking before a gathering of investors in New York, Yoo said that he is "cautiously optimistic" about the growth target. 
And as our Kim Bum-soo tells us, Yoo also assured that the South Korean economy will not suffer geopolitical concerns recently exacerbated by North Korea. 

Report: [Sound bite: Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho (English)]
 "Korea is not an old tiger of the past, we are striving to innovate..." 
 
Speaking at a gathering of U.S. officials and investors in New York on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho was "cautiously optimistic" about achieving the government's growth target of over three-percent for this year.

[Sound bite: Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho (Korean)]
“I cautiously believe that three percent can be achieved as steps to revitalize investment and exports and structural reforms are being swiftly pursued.”

He stressed that South Korea has seen improved current accounts and fiscal health despite unfavorable economic conditions around the world.
 
He explained that though it’s hard to get around low oil prices and a slowing China, the government has "plenty of room for policy action," like injecting fresh stimulus if deemed necessary. 
 
He also used the media opportunity to mitigate geopolitical concerns surrounding the Korean Peninsula.  
 
[Sound bite: Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho (Korean)]
“North Korea-related risks will be limited. We are exerting the best efforts to lessen related influences.”
 
The deputy prime minister also said that the large amount of household debt in South Korea is under control, citing households’ ability to pay back their loans.
 
Yoo said he believes that Beijing is sufficiently capable of addressing concerns over its slowing growth as he stressed that the bilateral free trade agreement with China will be of great help for South Korea.
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.