President Kim Dae-jung on Monday instructed education-related ministers to map out far-reaching measures to tackle the problem of youth unemployment, stressing the need for cooperation between industry and education.

In a luncheon meeting with ministers at Chong Wa Dae, Kim said industries and colleges should cooperate closely so businesses can have access to well-qualified workers.

Kim said that young people need to be afforded the opportunity to develop their natural abilities so as to give them hope rather than frustration because they are the nation's future.

The president called for the participants to make efforts in helping the nation's youth become more creative and to develop the ability to cope with the changes that occur during the transitional period between an industrial society and a knowledge-based one.