It is all more obvious that without savings, we can hardly except to enjoy such comforts of life as affluent living, happy marriage and good education for our children. Not only are savings indispensable for everyone of us on an individual basis, but are also vital for the supply of investment funds required for the construction of a viable national economy.

Owing to successful implementation of economic development plans for three consecutive periods, during the past 15years from 1962 through 1976, the Republic of Korea has achieved a remarkable economic growth in terms of quantity. For the 4th economic development-plan period, which was launched last year, a target has been set at the building of a stable welfare state in which all our people can enjoy a well-to-do life, with emphasis placed on national security and qualitative improvement of the national life, so that the nation can establish a self-sustaining national economy.

A self-supporting economy means that all the investment funds required for economic growth be made available solely by the savings of the people. In the case of 1977, the 1st year of 4th Economic Develolment Plan, the savings of the people accounted for 24.8 percent, and overseas savings 0.6percent, of the investment funds used, showing that a considerable part of investment funds was borne by national savings. The government plans to supply all investment funds through national savings by 1981, the last year of the 4th Plan period.