Ahn calls for Lee's apology over Jeju base plan

Moon Jae-in, the Democratic Untied Party's presidential candidate, looks around a construction site for an innovative city in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Friday. / Yonhap

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Independent Ahn Cheol-soo demanded Friday that President Lee Myung-bak apologize for the construction of a naval base in the coastal village of Gangjeong on Jeju Island.

But the software millionaire-turned-presidential candidate stopped short of saying that he opposes the project, showing his position could be different from the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP).

The DUP opposes the naval base plan and promised to scrap it if its candidate is elected in December's presidential elections.

During a meeting with residents of the village on the resort island, Ahn said Lee and government officials handling the naval base project should listen to residents' concerns.

Ahn Cheol-soo, left, independent presidential candidate, looks at tangerines at a distribution center on Jeju Island, Friday. / Yonhap

"Even though the government has reached the conclusion that the naval base is necessary, it had to seek consent from residents and check there are no procedural flaws," he said.

"If elected president, I will do this and apologize for the project."

The residents of the village were divided over the naval base plan. Opponents say environmental degradation would be inevitable as the construction project will destroy the local ecosystem. Proponents welcomed the plan in the hope, should the project be carried out, the local economy stands a good chance of being revitalized.

The government pushed for the project citing maritime security and the protection of seaborne trade.

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