President Lee Vows Not to Pursue Canal Project

President Lee Myung-bak Monday pledged not to press ahead with a grand canal project during his presidency.

``I still think the canal is needed for the future of our country. I already announced that there would no such project unless people have sympathy for it,'' Lee said in his biweekly radio address.

``Many people harbor suspicions about the four river restoration project out of fear that it might develop into a grand canal project. But the four river project is desperately necessary to secure water resources and improve the quality of water.''

The grand canal project was one of Lee's main campaign pledges in the 2007 presidential election. The President, however, was forced to give up the project due to strong public opposition amid fears the canal, which would connect Seoul to the southern port city of Busan, would be a waste of money and an environmental disaster.

The controversy came to light when the government announced in April a four river restoration project critics claimed was intended to pave way for the preparation for the grand canal.

Lee said the restoration project would help prevent floods, which cost the nation an average 2.7 trillion won per year in damage and 4.3 trillion won in repair costs.