Lee seeks to reach out to Busan amid soured sentiment

(ATTN: UPDATES last three paras) By Chang Jae-soon SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak sought to reach out to citizens in Busan on Thursday, promising to consider a series of projects to make South Korea's second-largest city a better place to live amid concerns his ruling party is losing ground in its traditional home turf. Lee's one-day trip to the southeastern port city came as public sentiment among Busan citizens has soured after the government scrapped a plan to build a new airport in the region earlier this year. The shutdown of a corruption-ridden savings bank in the city also led to many residents losing money and increased negativity against the government. South Korea's southeastern provinces, including Busan, have long been the traditional support base for Lee's ruling Grand National Party. Lee himself hails from Pohang, an industrial port city near Busan but worsening public sentiment there has raised concerns the ruling party could suffer defeat in next year's parliamentary and presidential votes. In what appears to be an offer of perks, Lee pledged support for a series of projects, including a promise to address water shortages Busan has been suffering from, before his term ends in early 2013. Lee's large entourage included the finance minister, the land and transportation minister, the culture minister and the head of the agency that handles affairs for small- and medium-sized firms. Their presence was seen as a sign that Lee is trying to boost the city and its economy. "Within my term, I will make a decision on a project that will make the 4 million people (in Busan) able to drink water without any concerns," Lee said in a meeting with Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik and other leading regional figures. "If a dam needs to be built, it should be built. I believe the land minister will also agree to this." The international terminal at Busan's Gimhae International Aiport should also be enlarged if needed, Lee said. "If it is certain that the space is not large enough, I hope the terminal will be enlarged," he said. The president also called for the quick launch of a project to lay double rail tracks between Busan and the nearby city of Ulsan. "The longer the project is delayed, the more the project will cost," he said, calling for the allocation of national budget funds to complete the project early. Lee pointed out that he was accompanied by the finance minister, who administers the national budget. "I heard that some people complain about the government, saying, 'What has this administration done for Busan?'" Lee said. "We have to make Busan another economic center," second to Seoul, he added. Lee pledged that he would try to do whatever is possible and needed for Busan before his term ends. "From now on, I hope you would stop saying you are disappointed," he said, laughing. "Today is the day when I'm staying in a provincial region for the longest time in my term." Lee visited a factory in Busan and attended the opening ceremony of the Busan Cinema Center later in the day. The cinema center will serve as the primary permanent venue of the annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia's largest film festivals. "The Busan mayor said BIFF aims to become one of the world's top three film festivals, but it will become the world's best film festival," Lee said. This year's festival is scheduled for Oct. 6-14. jschang@yna.co.kr (END)