During a policy briefing by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime
Affairs on Monday, there was almost no discussion of the proposed cross-country
canal, one of President Lee Myung-bak's campaign promises and a key state agenda
item.
As the proposed project is within the ministry's domain, it had been expected
that the canal would be discussed intensively during the briefing session.
President Lee didn't say anything explicitly about the canal in his over
30-minute opening and closing remarks, saying only that Korea must build "an
efficient network of maritime, land and air transportation systems."
Lee also stressed that the share of railroads and ships in Korea's logistics
system has to be increased, while road transportation should be reduced in
consideration of the global drive to cut greenhouse emissions.
The ministry's press release, which had been distributed in advance, also
mentioned nothing about the canal.
Meanwhile, in a seminar hosted by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club on
Monday, Grand National Party chairman Kang Jae-sup commented on the canal. "We
know the public is concerned about this issue. We'll reconsider it from scratch
after reviewing whether it will be really beneficial to the country in the long
term," he said.
The ruling camp's reticence suggests the party has further backed down from its
previous hard-line position on the issue. The GNP has struck the project from a
list of campaign pledges for the upcoming general election.
With the general election approaching, President Lee, the government, and the
ruling party are all apparently attempting to prevent the canal project, an
issue that is facing stiff opposition, from emerging as a hot campaign issue.
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