ID :
68247
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 17:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/68247
The shortlink copeid
President Lee reaffirms scrapping of controversial `canal project`
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak tried to put an end to a
months-long controversy over a disputed canal project Monday, once again
promising not to pursue the plan during his presidency.
The multi-billion-won project was one of Lee's main campaign pledges in the 2007
presidential election, which he won by the largest margin of votes in recent
history.
The president was forced, however, to withdraw the project due to strong public
opposition amid fears the canal, which would connect Seoul to the southern port
city of Busan, would be a waste of money and an environmental disaster.
The controversy was renewed when the government announced in April a detailed
river restoration project, which the government's critics claimed was aimed at
preparing for the Seoul-Busan canal.
"Many have questioned whether the Four River Restoration Project was not in
reality a disguise for the grand canal project," the president said in his
biweekly radio address to the nation, responding to messages posted on the Web
site of the presidential office.
"Every time I read these messages, I felt heavy in my heart. This was because it
made me realize how tall the wall of public distrust toward the government was,"
Lee said.
The president said he still believes the canal would be a benefit to the country.
"And yet, I have said the government will not launch the grand canal project
unless there was a public consensus because this issue could become politicized
and lead to national division," the president said.
"The government will not pursue such a project during my presidential term," he
added.
The president said restoring the country's major rivers would help prevent
floods, which cost the nation an average 2.7 trillion won per year in damages and
4.3 trillion won in repair costs.
"With the government budget that has been spent on the rivers for the past three
years, we can bring the rivers back to life for good," Lee said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak tried to put an end to a
months-long controversy over a disputed canal project Monday, once again
promising not to pursue the plan during his presidency.
The multi-billion-won project was one of Lee's main campaign pledges in the 2007
presidential election, which he won by the largest margin of votes in recent
history.
The president was forced, however, to withdraw the project due to strong public
opposition amid fears the canal, which would connect Seoul to the southern port
city of Busan, would be a waste of money and an environmental disaster.
The controversy was renewed when the government announced in April a detailed
river restoration project, which the government's critics claimed was aimed at
preparing for the Seoul-Busan canal.
"Many have questioned whether the Four River Restoration Project was not in
reality a disguise for the grand canal project," the president said in his
biweekly radio address to the nation, responding to messages posted on the Web
site of the presidential office.
"Every time I read these messages, I felt heavy in my heart. This was because it
made me realize how tall the wall of public distrust toward the government was,"
Lee said.
The president said he still believes the canal would be a benefit to the country.
"And yet, I have said the government will not launch the grand canal project
unless there was a public consensus because this issue could become politicized
and lead to national division," the president said.
"The government will not pursue such a project during my presidential term," he
added.
The president said restoring the country's major rivers would help prevent
floods, which cost the nation an average 2.7 trillion won per year in damages and
4.3 trillion won in repair costs.
"With the government budget that has been spent on the rivers for the past three
years, we can bring the rivers back to life for good," Lee said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
