By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

The administration will build a "self-sufficient" city on the planned site of Sejong City in South Chungcheong Province, Prime Minister Chung Un-chan said Wednesday, virtually dropping the original plan to relocate government offices from Seoul to the envisioned area.

"We will form a 25-member task force soon to come up with a finalized development plan for Sejong City by the end of January," Chung said during a press conference at his office. "Under the current plans, it is impossible to make Sejong a self-sufficient city. We must find an alternative to make it a better place to live in."

In the morning, Chung visited President Lee Myung-bak for reporting on the amendment, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The move drew a fierce backlash from opposition parties, and even from a number of governing party lawmakers.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pledged a nationwide campaign to protest what it called a unilateral decision by President Lee and his followers.

Political parties are expected to engage in do-or-die dogfights again, putting key bills on the people's livelihood and economic reform on the back burner.

Analysts worry the ongoing National Assembly session, which opened to discuss next year's state budget, will likely be marred by a wave of mudslinging.

President Lee said he will announce his position on the matter after a social consensus has been reached.

"Lee told Chung to finalize the plan by the end of January at the latest and share it with the public and lawmakers," said Lee Dong-kwan, senior presidential secretary for public relations. "The President stressed the government should consider three factors ― national competitiveness, the country's future after reunification and the development of the Chungcheong provinces ― in mapping out it."

It is highly likely that the administrative town will be replaced with a multi-functional industrial city housing science technology firms, institutes, universities and foreign hospitals, according to government sources. The government may submit the bill to the National Assembly as early as in February.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr