By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The pro-government and opposition parties clashed again over the feasibility of a waterway project, a signature pledge of presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party (GNP), on the third day of the National Assembly inspection of the government Friday.
The United New Democratic Party (UNDP) claimed Lee's project is not suitable for the environment, while the GNP insisted that building canals was the best way to prevent floods.
``Lee's inland canal project will threaten the ecosystem and native species,'' Rep. Kim Young-joo of the UNDP said during an Assembly committee's inspection of the government. ``Besides, canals are not effective in cutting logistics costs due to the nation's geological features.''
Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon also of the UNDP called the project ``thoughtless construction'' claiming overhauling roads and railways should be focused on to revamp the nation's logistics system.
On the other hand, GNP lawmakers insisted the canal project will prevent disasters and help utilize water resources.
``For the last 10 years, floods have created financial losses worth 1.8 trillion won ($19.6 billion),'' Rep. Chung Doo-un said. ``Korea lacks water routes; not water itself.''
Once the canals are constructed, the nation will not need to worry about possible floods of the Han River in Seoul and vicinity and Nakdong River in North Gyeongsang Province, he added.
Lee stressed that the proposal, dubbed the ``Pan-Korea Grand Waterway," to connect the nation's northern and southern rivers could help cut logistics costs by approximately one-third and implement balanced regional development.
The canals will also expedite tourist development as 15 sightseeing areas will be created around the waterways, he added.
However, the project has stirred up controversy because of opposing voices concerning environmental pollution and low profitability.
Meanwhile, GNP lawmakers raised suspicion that UNDP candidate Chung is involved in stock manipulation along with his brother-in-law, Min Joon-gi.
``Chung collected a lot of black money by having Min fiddle stocks of some venture companies,'' Rep. Lee Ju-young said.
The Assembly committee had barely started sessions but had difficulties conducting inspections of pending issues and government agencies due to disputes over a witness list.
The UNDP wants to call Lee Myung-bak to answer questions on the manipulation of consulting firm BBK stocks, which drew objections from the GNP.