State projects adrift on 'regional egoism'

By Lee Hyo-sik

A number of state projects have been drifting on increasing “regional egoism,” making it harder for the central government to make policy decisions in a timely and economically-feasible manner, analysts said Tuesday.

Municipal administrations and their residents are pressing policymakers to locate airports and other social infrastructure that can create economic benefits to their regions, while threatening not to vote for politicians who do not support their causes.

However, they are taking a contrasting attitude toward a nuclear power plant and other facilities that either pollute the environment or are distasteful, waging a “not in my backyard” campaign.

The analysts say that the government should make policy decisions in a more transparent and coherent manner, and bolster its mediating role between parties of different interests to minimize social conflict.

In turn, municipal governments and residents need to give up their self interest and accept government decisions for the sake of the entire country, they said.

“Whenever the central government announces large infrastructure development projects, concerned communities always take an egoistic attitude,” said an executive at a major business association based in Seoul, who declined to be named.

“If the projects are deemed to bring benefits to their communities, residents take all possible measures to get them,” he said. “However, if the schemes are to build landfills and other unpleasant facilities, residents oppose them tooth and nail. Unfortunately, this regional egoism has intensified in recent years, causing a great deal of social conflict among concerned parties.”

Choosing a site for a new airport in the southeastern part of the country has been a good example of Korea’s growing regional conflicts.

Busan has been backing Gadeok Island — not far from the existing Gimhae International Airport, claiming that it could be operated around the clock and expanded if necessary, while Daegu, Ulsan and North and South Gyeongsang provinces favored Miryang, citing better accessibility and economic feasibility.

To press the government to locate the airport to their respective sites, both sides held massive rallies over the past few months, with governors, lawmakers and other elected officials even attempting to “blackmail” policymakers.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was to pick the site Tuesday, but decided not to construct the new airport, given the political sensitivity of its nature. Instead, the ministry decided to expand Gimhae International Airport to accommodate the growing number of air travelers.

“Besides the new airport construction, the government has been unable to proceed with many other state projects, such as building nuclear power plants, prisons, public housing complexes and other controversial facilities,” the executive said. “Municipal governments and residents should let policymakers do their job.”

He then called on the government to make its decision-making process more fair and transparent. “To earn public trust, policymakers need to make public how they reach decisions, and play a more active role in mediating social conflict.”