ID :
99285
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 08:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/99285
The shortlink copeid
President Lee calls for national unity ahead of new Sejong City plan
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- Ahead of unveiling a highly controversial plan to build a "business-science hub" in central South Korea, President Lee Myung-bak called Monday for national unity and reconciliation.
In 2005, then liberal President Roh Moo-hyun decided to relocate about a dozen
government ministries and agencies out of Seoul to a "second" administrative town
to be built in South Chungcheong Province by 2012. Lee, a conservative leader, is
now moving to scrap the plan and instead build a "business-science" city there.
Lee's move has infuriated many people, including Chungcheong residents, alarming
the ruling camp hoping to win local elections scheduled for early June.
"What is most urgent is to cut the ring of internal conflict and split," Lee said
in his biweekly radio address. "Above all, reconciliation and unity is very
important."
Hours after Lee's radio address, the government was set to announce its revised
plan on the new city, named "Sejong." It reportedly offers big incentives,
including cheap land and low taxes, to lure massive investments from Samsung and
other conglomerates as well as several colleges and research institutes.
Unfazed by critical public opinions, Lee, formerly a construction company CEO, is
adamant about his plan to alter the original project, which he says is
unworkable. He believes that the original plan is tantamount to creating two
capital cities in a country.
The president has faced a series of setbacks in his reform drive due to a lack of
political and public support. His policies have often been criticized for being
too pro-business and rich people and too tough on North Korea.
Although his Grand National Party has apparently leaned toward conservatism, Lee
has campaigned for a "moderate and pragmatic" policy since taking office in early
2008 in a bid to drum up broader support.
Lee's supporters say the president's accomplishments especially in diplomacy and
economy have been undervalued because of political and ideological conflicts in
the country.
Lee appealed for unity, saying that South Korea has become an important force on
the international stage. Seoul will host the G-20 economic summit in November.
"South Korea has begun to draw the world's attention. Advanced countries give a
surprise look at us, and emerging ones are seeking to find hopes from South
Korea," he said. "Depending on how we do, we will be able to become a new role
model to be widely recognized in the international community."
"For that, a culture of acknowledging and respecting each other is necessary," he
said. "I am confident that South Korea's dream of becoming an advanced, top-level
country will come true if our will and power is united as one."
This, Lee said, is a reason why he began this year's official work with a visit
to the National Cemetery where former presidents are buried.
Historical reconciliation, which was elusive during the terms of the former
presidents, is needed to heal scars from conflicts in the course of founding and
industrializing the country and fighting for democracy, he said, adding that it
is the responsibility of contemporary people.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- Ahead of unveiling a highly controversial plan to build a "business-science hub" in central South Korea, President Lee Myung-bak called Monday for national unity and reconciliation.
In 2005, then liberal President Roh Moo-hyun decided to relocate about a dozen
government ministries and agencies out of Seoul to a "second" administrative town
to be built in South Chungcheong Province by 2012. Lee, a conservative leader, is
now moving to scrap the plan and instead build a "business-science" city there.
Lee's move has infuriated many people, including Chungcheong residents, alarming
the ruling camp hoping to win local elections scheduled for early June.
"What is most urgent is to cut the ring of internal conflict and split," Lee said
in his biweekly radio address. "Above all, reconciliation and unity is very
important."
Hours after Lee's radio address, the government was set to announce its revised
plan on the new city, named "Sejong." It reportedly offers big incentives,
including cheap land and low taxes, to lure massive investments from Samsung and
other conglomerates as well as several colleges and research institutes.
Unfazed by critical public opinions, Lee, formerly a construction company CEO, is
adamant about his plan to alter the original project, which he says is
unworkable. He believes that the original plan is tantamount to creating two
capital cities in a country.
The president has faced a series of setbacks in his reform drive due to a lack of
political and public support. His policies have often been criticized for being
too pro-business and rich people and too tough on North Korea.
Although his Grand National Party has apparently leaned toward conservatism, Lee
has campaigned for a "moderate and pragmatic" policy since taking office in early
2008 in a bid to drum up broader support.
Lee's supporters say the president's accomplishments especially in diplomacy and
economy have been undervalued because of political and ideological conflicts in
the country.
Lee appealed for unity, saying that South Korea has become an important force on
the international stage. Seoul will host the G-20 economic summit in November.
"South Korea has begun to draw the world's attention. Advanced countries give a
surprise look at us, and emerging ones are seeking to find hopes from South
Korea," he said. "Depending on how we do, we will be able to become a new role
model to be widely recognized in the international community."
"For that, a culture of acknowledging and respecting each other is necessary," he
said. "I am confident that South Korea's dream of becoming an advanced, top-level
country will come true if our will and power is united as one."
This, Lee said, is a reason why he began this year's official work with a visit
to the National Cemetery where former presidents are buried.
Historical reconciliation, which was elusive during the terms of the former
presidents, is needed to heal scars from conflicts in the course of founding and
industrializing the country and fighting for democracy, he said, adding that it
is the responsibility of contemporary people.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
