By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
A group of lawmakers-elect of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) revealed their discontent with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon for his unwillingness to designate more ``New Towns" to transform urban slums into brand-new, eco-friendly districts.
Their victory was largely attributable to campaign pledges they made to make the project happen in their electoral districts.
Facing the increasing complaints, Oh made a phone call to Rep. Chung Mong-joon, a vocal opponent of the mayor's plan not to set aside additional sites, in an effort to quell the criticism of him. Close aides of the two leaders said Chung and Oh ``had a nice talk'' and narrowed what they called a communication gap.
The mayor of Seoul said in a news conference Monday that the urban redevelopment plan, which was launched in 2002 under his predecessor's leadership, had not been helpful for the working-class.
He reiterated his stance that he had no plan to set aside more sites for redevelopment for the time being.
After the clarification, politicians' careers were put at stake.
Sharing the view that they lost the elections due to the campaign pledges, leaders of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) sued four lawmakers-elect of the GNP for the spread of false information, and continued to review possible legal action against others.
Under pressure, the GNP lawmakers-elect sought a meeting with the mayor Thursday to negotiate the matter. Lawmaker-elect Chung Tae-gun of the GNP, who expressed discontent over the mayor's firm standing on no further redevelopment, said his party and the mayor agreed to sit down together next Monday.
As for the motive behind Oh's initial tough reaction on the redevelopment plan, a lawmaker-elect said on condition of anonymity that Oh is probably working on building his image as a leader with presidential material.
He pointed out the mayor's remarks about going beyond narrow partisan interest and being responsive to the demands of ``citizen clients'' as support of his claim.
Oh was also quoted as saying he would ``get through the vehement opposition triggered by partisan interest to carry out this plan.''
His remarks were reminiscent of those of his predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, when he pushed through the urban waterway project amid rampant criticism.
The lawmaker-elect also said Oh may have lost interest in the New Town project mainly because it was initiated by Lee.
Political analysts said President Lee's empowerment of Oh at a Cabinet meeting might also have influenced the mayor's reaction to the issue.
Lee advised Oh that when it comes to the redevelopment plan, the mayor should stand firm on the guidelines of the city government and not be affected by political pressure, sources said.