Lee to chart new policy roadmap

‘I will humbly accept election results’

By Na Jeong-ju

Staff reporter

President Lee Myung-bak vowed Monday to reshuffle the Cabinet and the presidential secretariat to chart a new policy roadmap for the remainder of his tenure, and readjust policy priorities based on closer communication with the public and the younger generation.

In an address to the nation, Lee also urged political parties to vote quickly on the controversial state project to transform Sejong City in South Chungcheong Province into a business complex, saying he doesn't want it to be the seed of conflict any more.

The remarks suggest he could give up the revision and develop it into an administrative town as initially planned as it is virtually impossible to push the policy reform through due to fierce opposition from residents and a group of ruling party lawmakers affiliated with Rep. Park Geun-hye.

By abandoning the project, Lee is expected to seek a breakthrough in the stalled dialogue with opposition parties and create momentum for other state plans such as the refurbishment of four major rivers, analysts say.

"I ask the National Assembly to decide on the revised Sejong City project at the ongoing session. I will respect its decision," Lee said. "As head of state, I have the responsibility to address the regional and political divisions over the project. We must end this controversy."

The address came about two weeks after the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) suffered a humiliating defeat in the local elections, which had been seen as a mid-term referendum on Lee's leadership.

The GNP garnered six of the 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts that were up for grabs, while the main opposition Democratic Party won seven. In the 2006 elections, the GNP won 12.

In particular, opposition parties and independent candidates prevailed in the Chungcheong provinces, where protests had been held against the revision of the administrative town project.

"I will humbly accept the election results. I will listen carefully to what people say," Lee said.

Presidential secretary for public relations Lee Dong-kwan said the President will unveil a new policy roadmap and his ideas of political reform in an address marking the Aug. 15 Liberation Day.

"Lee will readjust policy priorities in a way to strengthen his vision of centrist pragmatism and enhance services for ordinary people and less-privileged citizens," the secretary told reporters.

The actions reflect a growing sense of crisis in the ruling camp over a weakening base of support for the conservative leader, especially among young people.

Lee's aides called for the need to create a pool of young talented leaders and ensure their participation in charting the post-election strategy.

"We need to make the Cabinet and the presidential staff younger to strengthen communication with the young generation," an aide said, asking not to be named. "The embarrassing upset in the local elections suggests that we must change. Or there will be no future for us."

President Lee didn't mention the timing of the reshuffle, but most observers forecast the new lineup will be announced before the GNP holds its national convention in mid-July to elect new leaders.

Some said Lee may conduct the Cabinet shakeup in early August following the July 28 by-elections, which will choose at least eight new legislators.

이 대통령, 새 정책 계획 밝혀

이명박 대통령은 지방선거 결과를 반영해 남은 임기 동안 내각을 개편하고 주요 정책을 조정하겠다고 월요일 밝혔다.

이 대통령은 TV와 라디오로 생방송된 대국민 연설에서 세종시 관련 논란에 대해 “국론분열이 지속되고 지역적, 정치적 균열이 심화되는 것을 더 이상 방치할 수 없다”며, “관련 법안은 이미 3월에 제출되어 있으므로 국회가 이번 회기에 표결처리 해주기를 바란다”고 촉구했다.

이는 세종시 문제에서 한발 짝 물러남으로써 이 대통령이 추진하고 있는 4대강 사업 및 그밖의 정책 추진에 속도를 가하기 위함으로 풀이된다.

지난 6월 2일 전국 지방선거에서 여당인 한나라당의 참패에 대해, 이 대통령은 "지방선거를 통해 표출된 민심을 무겁게 받아들이고 있다"고 말했다.

이와 관련 이 대통령은 "지금이 여당도 변화할 수 있는 좋은 기회”라며, “시대를 주도하고 젊고 활력있는 정당으로 변모하도록 지혜와 힘을 모아야 한다”고 강조했다.

또한 이 대통령은 “청와대와 내각의 시스템을 더욱 효율적으로 개편하는 한편, 준비가 되는대로 새로운 진용도 갖추겠다”고 했으나, 내각 개편에 관련 자세한 사항은 밝히지 않았다.