Mayoral rival blasts downtown snowboard event

By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- An international snowboarding competition opening
Friday in the unlikely setting of central Seoul has sparked a fierce political
squabble over alleged electioneering by the city's mayor.
The ski jump and snowboard event was to continue through Saturday in Gwanghwamun
Plaza, built this year as part of a larger city-wide facelift, with the Snowboard
World Cup Big Air taking place there on Sunday.
In order to host the high-profile winter sport events, the Seoul metropolitan
government set up a temporary jump slope, 34 meters in height and 100 meters in
length, in the downtown plaza, which is surrounded by several lanes of traffic on
either side.
Instead of drawing the fanfare Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was likely hoping for, a
number of politicians -- including lawmakers in his own party -- have accused him
of creating a publicity stunt ahead of next year's local elections.
Oh, a former lawyer who succeeded President Lee Myung-bak as Seoul mayor in 2006,
is said to be seeking re-election in June 2010.
Rep. Won Hee-ryong of the Grand National Party (GNP), expected to be Oh's rival
in the elections next year, said in a radio interview Wednesday the ski jump
event is "merely a public relations stunt" intended to build up Oh's reputation.
Won called the jumping facility "the world's biggest median strip," expressing
concerns about the safety of the game's participants and spectators gathering in
the center of the crowded roads.
The city only plans to close some of the lanes around the plaza for the event.
In response to the growing criticism, Oh said the event has nothing to do with
politics, calling the accusations "groundless."
"The Snowboard World Cup is a well-known international winter sports game and
Seoul is the first Asian city to host the game," Oh said in a blog post on
Thursday. "Moreover, it is an unprecedented case to hold the competition at the
heart of the city."
He said the decision to use the downtown square was to promote Seoul through the
international event, which will be televised in more than 100 countries around
the world.
"A fierce global war is under way to heighten urban and national competitiveness
through the medium of history, culture and tourism," Oh said. "Tourism is the key
among them and its outcome will be generated only when we can attract the
attention of foreigners."
Kang Cheol-won, a spokesman for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, also said the
snow jump competition will raise the nation's profile, not to mention the city's
brand power.
"By promoting a Snowboard World Cup competition in urban surroundings, we can
attract more international visitors and hope to help PyeongChang boost its bid to
host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games," he said.
While snowboarding fans and citizens welcomed the rare opportunity to see the big
event in a downtown area, some civic groups complained it will pose a serious
threat to the safety of citizens and worsen traffic congestion.
When the plaza was opened earlier this year, concerns were raised among
authorities that the site could turn into a popular venue for massive
anti-government rallies. To prevent the Gwanghwamun area from being dominated by
protesters, the government vowed to allow only "orderly cultural events" that do
not cause traffic congestion or disruptions.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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