President Lee Myung-bak formally expressed his intention to revise the Sejong City Development Plan in his nationally televised ”Dialogue with the President.” President Lee said that his campaign pledge to follow the original plan was “embarrassing and regrettable,” and that he felt “sorry for the social conflict and confusion brought about” by the string of recent announcements of revisions.

This is the second time he has changed his tune on this issue, having switched from a position opposing the Sejong City Development Plan during his time as mayor of Seoul to one of support during his presidential campaign, and now back again. It is right for him to be apologizing to the public and asking forgiveness. However belated, an apology serves as a fortunate turn of events.

President Lee’s statements, however, fall well short of the public’s expectations for a frank apology and communication. He persists in maintaining public relations efforts and offering justifications such as, “At first I was skeptical, but as the election drew closer I changed my tune.” This only comes across as irresponsible self-justification. He is also now saying, “Responsibility lies with our political world, myself included.” President Lee is the one who has gone back on his promises to the public and have generated confusion as a result. He should not be trying to paper over the truth by saying responsibility also lies with the political world. President Lee made a false pledge and had no intention whatsoever of following through on the original Sejong City Development Plan. He should clearly acknowledge this and make a proper apology.

President Lee is also sorely mistaken if he believes he has shaken off all his past mistakes with a single apology. An apology only works if the people accept it and give their forgiveness. If President Lee is to persuade both the political world and gain consent from the general public, he needs to be tireless in demonstrating that he is someone whose genuineness can be trusted. Instead, President Lee appears to be nothing of the sort. When he says he is doing things for the country even though they are not in his interest, that is not the attitude of someone seeking the public’s understanding. Does this mean he thinks he alone considers the country, while everyone else is caught up in political maneuvering? Such an arrogant approach is not persuasive. Indeed, this line of thinking will only succeed in stirring up opposition.

Moreover, President Lee has failed to present any persuasive claims as to why the Sejong City Development Plan needs to be changed. He has merely reiterated existing claims that a second administrative city cannot be self-sufficient under the current plan. The city was created to relieve population density in the capital region and promote regionally-balanced development, not to set up some pork barrel city in South Chungcheong Province. If President Lee plans to change the development plan, it still needs to provide a clear blueprint for balanced development.

The Lee administration has stated that it would continue according to plan on developing innovation cities and business cities in the provinces, but its actual policy has gone in the exact opposite direction. Cases in point include its relaxation of restrictions on floor area ratios in the capital region and its declassification of greenbelts. The same goes for its relaxation of regulations on the building of schools and hospitals in the Incheon free economic zone. All of these policies promote more bulk in the capital region. One wonders how the development of new innovation cities and business cities can be continue under such conditions.

Twice now, President Lee has gone back on his promises, and even now, he talks about balanced development on one side while focusing relentlessly on developing the capital region on the other. In these circumstances, one cannot believe the Lee administration’s promises. If President Lee is truly thinking about the long-term future of this nation, he should first revise policies for development in the capital region that go against the principles of balanced development for the country before suggesting any revisions to the Sejong City Development Plan. If he pushes forward with the Sejong City revisions without taking this first step, it will inevitably lead to greater conflict and confusion.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]