hankyoreh

On June 18 , President Lee Myung-bak said that the government will stop its controversial plan to build the Korean Grand Waterway if the public is opposed to the project. Accordingly, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs is going to stop research for the canal project and will also dissolve a preparatory team.

During a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae on the same day, President Lee said that Korea will not import U.S. beef from cattle older than 30 months. He added that the government will not make the official announcement on the resumption of U.S. beef imports and will not import beef until the U.S. accepts Korea’s demand regarding the age of cows.

Lee also added that there is no plan to privatize gas, water, electricity and health insurance due to the public concern that it will raise public utility charges.

Regarding the beef crisis, Lee made his second public apology after the one on May 22. “Even for an urgent national issue, I should have paid attention to what people want. Sitting on a hill near Cheong Wa Dae on the night of June 10, watching the candlelight vigil, I blamed myself for not serving the people better,” Lee said.

Regarding the personnel reform, Lee remarked, “I will humbly accept public criticism over my first personnel problems and will do my best to satisfy their expectations.”

In connection with his recent remarks that “the Internet without trust is poison, not medicine,’’ Lee explained, “I don’t have an old-fashioned idea to improperly control the Internet. I meant that cyber space without trust is very dangerous and all nations should cooperate with one another. My remarks were not about domestic problems.”

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