SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean government is considering to raise the country's growth forecast for 2010 as the economic is expected to grow even higher than its earlier projection of a 4-percent expansion, Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun said Thursday.

    The country's economy is showing a better-than-expected trend, Yoon said at a meeting of heads from major private and state-run think tanks.

    According to the country's central bank, gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.9 percent in the third quarter from three months earlier. The figure marked the highest since the first quarter of 2002 when the GDP advanced at 3.8 percent on quarter.

    However, he noted in order to get over the crisis and prepare for the post-crisis era, now is a really critical time for the country.

    The government should delve into how to survive this difficult time and maintain the improving economic trend, Yoon added.

    Although some macroeconomic indicators are improving, but the employment situation still remains grim, the minister said.

    "With a rebounding economy, oil prices and other commodity costs could surge at anytime, which could serve as yet another drag on the economy," he added.

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