The government has launched a task force aimed at mapping out plans to nurture the country's service industry that could result in more job creation, the finance minister said Wednesday.

"The government launched and started to operate a one-stop task force last month to nurture five promising service sectors -- health and medical treatment, education, tourism, finance and software," Finance Minister Hyun Oh-seok said at a meeting with other economy-related policymakers in Seoul.

"We also plan to launch a task force for the contents and logistics sectors, which have high growth potential."

The government has been working hard to boost the service industry as part of efforts to stimulate domestic demand and create more jobs. However, excessive red tape and strong resistance from different interest groups have hindered much of the government's push to develop the service industry.

In operating the task forces, Hyun said that the government will put more emphasis on national interests than those of stakeholders involved in each service sector.

Hyun said the government will provide compensation and "active" support to ease the hardships of people suffering from the recent heavy snow and the farmers affected by avian influenza outbreaks through tax breaks and disaster funds. (Yonhap)