Budget Cuts Hold Back Expo Prep
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
Budgetary limitations are holding back the construction of infrastructure projects for the 2012 Expo to be held in the southwestern port city of Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.
A recent report by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs stated that the completion of several major infrastructure plans, including new railways, highways and port facilities, have been delayed until the latter half of 2012.
Designed to improve accessibility to Yeosu from other parts of the country, the projects were initially supposed to be completed before the Expo opening.
Some opposition lawmakers claimed that the budget for the 2012 Yeosu Expo was slashed because of the skyrocketing expenses needed for President Lee Myung-bak's trademark "Four River Restoration Project."
"We need 1.6 trillion won for completion of major infrastructure projects on schedule in 2010 and 2011, but the government will only commit around 900 billion won," Rep. Joo Seung-yong of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said in a recent statement.
One of the world's largest events after the Olympics Games and the FIFA World Cup, the Expo has been held since the mid-19th century. The Yeosu Expo will be held from May 12, 2012 to Aug. 12, 2012. It is preceded by the Shanghai Expo in 2010.
"For the Expo to be a success, it is crucial to expand the relevant budget to ensure early completion of the necessary projects," the two-term lawmaker representing the city said.
The Organizing Committee for the EXPO 2012 said it was closely watching budgetary deliberations at the National Assembly.
"It is true that a certain level of hindrances is inevitable owing to the proposed budget cuts. However, other areas of preparations are progressing as planned," Shin Hwang-ho, publicity director at the Committee said. The Committee is headed by Kang Dong-suk, former minister for construction and transportation.
To facilitate access to Yeosu, South Jeolla Province has sought an early completion of the expansion of the KTX Jeolla line, originally slated for 2015, Shin added.
"We are hoping that the government will consider the urgency of the Yeosu Expo when planning its next supplementary budget," he said.
The National Assembly's September regular session is to act on the government's 2010 budget proposal.
Critics of the budget cite the excessive priority the government has placed on refurbishing four major rivers - the Han, Nakdong, Geum and Yeongsan.
The ministry's 2010 budget for the river project is around 6.7 trillion won, a 705 percent increase from this year.
However, the ministry explained that a reduced Expo budget is an inevitable result of a cutback on overall SOC plans.
Its recent report to the Assembly indicated that most of the budget plans for roads and railways will see double-digit reductions.
Next year's spending for railways, for example, is projected at 4.5 trillion won, a 25 percent reduction from this year's 6.1 trillion won.
"The proposed reduction in SOC spending is mainly because of the extra needed for the four river project," Rep. Joo said. "We urge the government to renew its attention to the Yeosu Expo in order to make it a global success."
Essential highway connections between major cities in South Jeolla have been mostly delayed to 2012.
With only 968 days to go before the Expo's opening, the province is determined to make it a defining moment for the region.
Officials and residents are hoping that the Expo will be an impetus for the province's transformation to a comprehensive international marine leisure town.
During a visit to the region last month, President Lee reiterated his support for the event.