Lee Embraces Roh’s Development Plan

Saemangeum to Become Korean Version of Dubai by 2020

By Lee Hyo-sik

Staff Reporter

In a major U-turn, President Lee Myung-bak indicated Monday that his administration will inherit and develop a regional development plan his liberal predecessor Roh Moo-hyun started.

The conservative President said the government will implement Roh's plan to relocate public firms to provincial areas, and develop Saemankum, land reclaimed on the southwest coast, into a Korean version of Dubai by 2020, 10 years ahead of his predecessor's vision.

The government will also turn a new administrative town in Gongju-Yeongi area in South Chungchong Province into a self-sufficient city by attracting hi-tech companies, research centers and universities, while building an extensive road network nationwide to better link the Seoul metropolitan region with provincial areas.

At a national development committee meeting President Lee chaired at Cheong Wa Dae, the government announced these and other measures designed to foster balanced national development.