Prime minister says all options open for Sejong City

SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Chung Un-chan said Wednesday that the
government will leave open all options regarding a controversial administrative
town project.
"The government-private panel has been discussing the plan with all options
open," Chung said at a forum, referring to the Lee Myung-bak government's bid to
revise the Sejong administrative city project.
The 16-member joint committee was launched last month to draw an alternative plan
for Sejong through public hearings and other consensus-building procedures.
Initiated by former President Roh Moo-hyun as an election campaign pledge in
2002, the Sejong city project calls for the construction of an administrative
town in South Chungcheong Province, about 160 kilometers south of Seoul, to house
nine ministries and four government agencies.
Chung has reiterated his determination to change the character of Sejong from an
administrative city to a business and science hub, noting that the city, if built
as planned, will be lacking in self-sufficiency. Some local groups are
considering moving some of their affiliates to the new town, he noted.
"The committee has been gauging public opinion to draw the most desirable plan
for Sejong," said Chung. "The final draft will be concluded by end of this month,
but the exact date is not yet confirmed."
President Lee apologized for a reversal of the plan in a televised town hall
meeting last week, as then opposition Grand National Party voted for a special
bill on the construction of Sejong City in 2005.
As the incumbent administration has been looking to downsize relocation project,
residents of South Chungcheong Province and all opposition parties are fiercely
opposing the proposed revisions. Even a major faction in the ruling GNP has
accused Lee of seeking to nullify the 2005 bill and breaking a promise with the
people.
brk@yna.co.kr
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