The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
  • Translation Award
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Thu, December 5, 2019 | 23:52
-------------------------
Lee Pledges Balanced Regional Growth
Posted : 2009-12-04 20:44
Updated : 2009-12-04 20:44
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak said Friday that the governing camp would push planned regional development projects regardless of its move to transform Sejong City in South Chungcheong Province into a multifunctional industrial city.

He downplayed concerns that the revision would discourage firms from making investments in other industrial cities, dampening efforts to promote balanced national development.

``Some people irresponsibly say that the government will pay little attention to other regions. That is not true,'' Lee said during a groundbreaking ceremony for the 182-kilometer-long railroad section for high-speed trains between Osong in North Chungcheong Province and Gwangju.

The ceremony was held at the Gwangju-Songjeong Station, the last stop of the section. Construction of a 48-kilometer-long extended line linking the station to the southern port city of Mokpo will also begin next year.

The Honam Line between Osong and Gwangju was originally scheduled to be completed in 2015, but the government decided to complete the project in 2014. Honam refers to the Jeolla provinces, the political stronghold of the main opposition Democratic Party.

``I had no choice but to revise the Sejong City plan for the country's future. It is my duty, too, to complete other regional development projects,'' President Lee said.

``The construction of the Honam high-speed railway will not only help develop regional industries, but also promote balanced national growth.''

In an address to the nation last week, Lee said he would drop the administrative town project to keep government offices in Seoul and instead develop Sejong into an industrial belt.

Prime Minister Chung Un-chan said the government would consider offering tax benefits to firms seeking to relocate offices to Sejong City, but critics say the proposed tax cut discriminated against other industrial cities.

On Thursday, Governor Lee Wan-koo of South Chungcheong Province tendered his resignation in protest of the governing camp's decision to scrap the administrative town project. Civic groups in the provinces threatened to hold joint anti-government rallies.

In the face of worsening public sentiment, the governing Grand National Party (GNP) called on Prime Minister Chung to take ample time to finalize alternative development plans for Sejong.

Chung earlier said the government would come up with a finalized plan late this month.

``It is not a good idea to decide on the master plan so soon,'' GNP floor-leader Rep. Ahn Sang-soo said during a policy coordination meeting Friday. ``We will ask the government to delay the date of the announcement so that it can have more time to create a social consensus on the issue.''

Some GNP lawmakers called on the party to drop the revision plan.

GNP spokeswoman Rep. Cho Yoon-sun said Wednesday that the party cannot push for the revision if it is not backed by people in Chungcheong.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr








 
 
  • numberSK Group chairman's wife files for divorce
  • numberWhat to know about new emission rules in Seoul
  • numberWhen justice systems fail to protect women
  • numberBuddhist leader calls Pakistan visit 'spiritually stimulating'
  • numberSeoul, Chinese FMs agree to boost ties
  • numberProsecution raids Cheong Wa Dae office in probe of power abuse scandal
  • number'USFK withdrawal wasn't an issue'
  • number[INTERVIEW] Medipost to unlock potential in regenerative medicine
  • number[POLL] What's your favorite English slogan for Daejeon?
  • numberFitch vs. Moody's: Should Korean banks go abroad?
  • [INTERVIEW] Actress Kong Hyo-jin reflects on-screen chemistry in hit drama [INTERVIEW] Actress Kong Hyo-jin reflects on-screen chemistry in hit drama
  • 7 trends bloggers should borrow from K-pop stars' Instagram 7 trends bloggers should borrow from K-pop stars' Instagram
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Forever young' actress focuses on role, not looks in new movie [INTERVIEW] 'Forever young' actress focuses on role, not looks in new movie
  • Kang Daniel puts K-pop career on hold over anxiety disorder Kang Daniel puts K-pop career on hold over anxiety disorder
  • Actor Kang Ji-hwan gets suspended prison sentence in rape case Actor Kang Ji-hwan gets suspended prison sentence in rape case
DARKROOM
  • Global climate change: time is running out

    Global climate change: time is running out

  • CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

    CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

  • No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

    No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

  • Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

    Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

  • Halloween

    Halloween

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright