ID :
89117
Wed, 11/11/2009 - 17:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/89117
The shortlink copeid
Gov't considering early announcement on new administrative town: PM
SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Chung Un-chan said Wednesday the
government may push up the date it will announce a revised plan to partially
relocate government offices, in an apparent attempt to allay a growing political
and national rift.
"I will consider pushing up the process to minimize social conflict over the
issue," Chung said at a high-level meeting between the government and the ruling
Grand National Party (GNP).
"The government should carry out the Sejong project with prudence and far-sighted
perspective," he said.
Initiated by former President Roh Moo-hyun as his election campaign pledge in
2002, the Sejong City project would relocate nine ministries and four government
agencies to an area in South Chungcheong Province, about 160km south of Seoul.
There were 18 ministries under Roh's administration, which were merged into 15 by
the incumbent Lee Myung-bak government.
The Lee administration has been looking to downsize the relocation project, and
Chung has been leading the drive since he took office in late September, arguing
the plan as drawn fails to make Sejong a self-sufficient city.
"The current plan is not helpful to either the nation or Chungcheong Province,"
Chung said at Wednesday's meeting. He previously had said the revisions would be
announced in January.
The revisions are fiercely protested by residents of Chungcheong Province and
opposition parties. Even a major faction in the GNP has accused the Lee Myung-bak
government of breaking the promise with the people.
Roh won votes in the swing provinces of Chungcheong in the presidential election
by promising to move offices out of the capital to the rural area, which expects
to benefit economically from government agencies relocating there.
Decentralization has been a key political issue in South Korea, where about half
of its population of 48 million live in or around Seoul.
President Lee is expected to state his position on the issue within this month.
Chung submitted a draft report on modifying the government relocation program to
Lee last week.
Meanwhile, the government revealed the names of a committee tasked with
deliberating the revisions. The 16-member panel is scheduled to be launched on
Nov. 16 and begin their work to gauge public opinion.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
government may push up the date it will announce a revised plan to partially
relocate government offices, in an apparent attempt to allay a growing political
and national rift.
"I will consider pushing up the process to minimize social conflict over the
issue," Chung said at a high-level meeting between the government and the ruling
Grand National Party (GNP).
"The government should carry out the Sejong project with prudence and far-sighted
perspective," he said.
Initiated by former President Roh Moo-hyun as his election campaign pledge in
2002, the Sejong City project would relocate nine ministries and four government
agencies to an area in South Chungcheong Province, about 160km south of Seoul.
There were 18 ministries under Roh's administration, which were merged into 15 by
the incumbent Lee Myung-bak government.
The Lee administration has been looking to downsize the relocation project, and
Chung has been leading the drive since he took office in late September, arguing
the plan as drawn fails to make Sejong a self-sufficient city.
"The current plan is not helpful to either the nation or Chungcheong Province,"
Chung said at Wednesday's meeting. He previously had said the revisions would be
announced in January.
The revisions are fiercely protested by residents of Chungcheong Province and
opposition parties. Even a major faction in the GNP has accused the Lee Myung-bak
government of breaking the promise with the people.
Roh won votes in the swing provinces of Chungcheong in the presidential election
by promising to move offices out of the capital to the rural area, which expects
to benefit economically from government agencies relocating there.
Decentralization has been a key political issue in South Korea, where about half
of its population of 48 million live in or around Seoul.
President Lee is expected to state his position on the issue within this month.
Chung submitted a draft report on modifying the government relocation program to
Lee last week.
Meanwhile, the government revealed the names of a committee tasked with
deliberating the revisions. The 16-member panel is scheduled to be launched on
Nov. 16 and begin their work to gauge public opinion.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
