By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter
Governor Lee Wan-koo of South Chungcheong Province resigned Thursday, expressing his anger over the ruling camp's "irresponsible" handling of the Sejong City project.
The resignation of the former lawmaker of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) will likely deal a blow to President Lee Myung-bak's plan to replace the proposed administrative town with an industrial city.
"Somebody has to take responsibility for breaking the promise and blocking the special law from being enacted," Lee Wan-koo said at the National Assembly.
"Forgive me, my dear fellow citizens who have shown support to the lofty idea of balanced national development. I am quitting the post for failing to live up to the expectations of Chungcheong residents who have urged me to push for the original plan," he said.
He had repeatedly vowed to stake his job on developing the city in accordance with the original plan.
The multi-billion plan was initiated by the previous Roh Moo-hyun administration with the support of the then-opposition GNP.
"After mulling over alternative plans, I have reached the conclusion that there cannot be a better one," Lee said. "And I believe what is more precious than efficiency, a term that has become the talk of the town, is trust."
The governor was firm in his belief that President Lee's alternative plan, which is expected to be confirmed in two weeks, is destined to be a failure.
"As soon as Chung Un-chan was tapped as prime minister, the fate of Sejong changed from a Songdo-like city to a green-growth city, corporate city, business-friendly city, education city, science city, science education city and an international science business belt," the outgoing governor said.
He continued: "Yet, I have never been invited to any of the open or closed door meetings involving the making of an alternative plan for Sejong City.
"No matter what the alternative plan will be it will not be able to heal the broken hearts of Chungcheong residents."
While serving as a GNP lawmaker between 2000 and 2004, he played a leading role in drawing up the initial plan, which called for the relocation of ministries and government agencies out of Seoul.
Asked about his future plans, he said he would take a break from politics.
He also said he would neither leave the party, nor run in the upcoming local elections slated for June.
Lee is the third governor to step down since local elections were first held in 1995. Governors Kim Hyuk-kyu of South Gyeongsang Province stepped down in December 2003 and Shim Dae-pyung of South Chungcheong Province left office in March 2006.