ID :
172460
Fri, 04/01/2011 - 12:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/172460
The shortlink copeid
Conflicts over new airport project need to be terminated
-Yonhap editorial-
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak offered a public apology Friday for breaking a promise to construct a major airport in the nation's southeastern region, saying that he, as a "responsible leader" of the country, cannot pursue the project which would impose a great burden to the people and our offspring.
"I personally feel regret and sorry for having become unable to keep the campaign pledge on a new airport in the southeastern bloc," Lee said in a televised press conference.
The project was first proposed in 2006 during the Roh Moo-hyun government, and Lee promised to go ahead with the project during his campaign.
Earlier this week, the government announced a decision to abort the multi-billion dollar project. The decision was based on the conclusion by a committee of government officials and experts that the envisioned airport is not economically viable. After a review of the two candidate sites -- Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province and Gadeok Island near the largest port city of Busan -- the committee concluded that both sites failed to meet requirements for economic and environmental feasibility, triggering a strong outcry from regional residents, municipal government officials and politicians.
Despite the apology of the president, the aftermath of the nullification of the project is not expected to subside easily.
Civic organizations and politicians representing North and South Gyeongsang provinces said they are going to carry out massive rallies and candle vigils to denounce the central government's decision.
Authorities of Busan City said there would not be any change in the city's plan to push for the construction of an international airport in Gadeok Island.
The issue of the new airport project is likely to be rekindled during the electioneering campaigns for the general and presidential elections slated for next year.
However, it is not desirable to continue politically motivated conflict now that the project was determined not to be viable and the president has made a public apology.
The local government leaders and politicians from the southeastern region are advised to consider coolly what is a good decision for the future of their nation.
Also, we should take a lesson from the incident that future state projects should be established and carried out based on national interests, excluding political motives.
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak offered a public apology Friday for breaking a promise to construct a major airport in the nation's southeastern region, saying that he, as a "responsible leader" of the country, cannot pursue the project which would impose a great burden to the people and our offspring.
"I personally feel regret and sorry for having become unable to keep the campaign pledge on a new airport in the southeastern bloc," Lee said in a televised press conference.
The project was first proposed in 2006 during the Roh Moo-hyun government, and Lee promised to go ahead with the project during his campaign.
Earlier this week, the government announced a decision to abort the multi-billion dollar project. The decision was based on the conclusion by a committee of government officials and experts that the envisioned airport is not economically viable. After a review of the two candidate sites -- Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province and Gadeok Island near the largest port city of Busan -- the committee concluded that both sites failed to meet requirements for economic and environmental feasibility, triggering a strong outcry from regional residents, municipal government officials and politicians.
Despite the apology of the president, the aftermath of the nullification of the project is not expected to subside easily.
Civic organizations and politicians representing North and South Gyeongsang provinces said they are going to carry out massive rallies and candle vigils to denounce the central government's decision.
Authorities of Busan City said there would not be any change in the city's plan to push for the construction of an international airport in Gadeok Island.
The issue of the new airport project is likely to be rekindled during the electioneering campaigns for the general and presidential elections slated for next year.
However, it is not desirable to continue politically motivated conflict now that the project was determined not to be viable and the president has made a public apology.
The local government leaders and politicians from the southeastern region are advised to consider coolly what is a good decision for the future of their nation.
Also, we should take a lesson from the incident that future state projects should be established and carried out based on national interests, excluding political motives.
