A propaganda war for the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project has been launched by the Lee administration. The Lee administration held groundbreaking ceremonies at various sites in succession and broadcasted the events through KBS.

President Lee Myung-bak participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Yeongsan River in the Seungchon neighborhood of Gwangju City on Nov. 22. During the ceremony, President Lee said, “The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is a project that we should be carrying out at this time.” Lee added, “We have not been swayed by political interests, and have instead remained focused on matters pertaining to the people’s happiness.” The event was broadcast live across the country and even over part of the Korea Professional Football League (K-League) game scheduled for broadcast.

Yu Eun-hye, vice spokeswoman of the opposition United New Democratic Party (UDP), said in an official statement, “It is absurd that a terrestrial broadcasting company broadcasted the groundbreaking ceremony of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, a project that has been stained with illegalities and expediencies.”

On the same day, Chung Jong-hwan, minister of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs, also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony held on the riverbank of the Geum River in Buyeo County located in South Chungcheong Province.

Prime Minister Chung Un-chan has plans to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled on the riverbank of Han River on Nov. 27. Some are criticizing the Lee administration by saying the decision to hold a succession of groundbreaking ceremonies is politically motivated.

Currently, 16.2 trillion Won of the total 22.2 trillion Won of the budget for the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is allocated for construction along the Nakdong River, The amounts allocated for the Han River, Geum River, and Yeongsan River are 2 trillion Won, 2.5 trillion Won and 2.6 trillion Won, respectively. It has been reported that the ruling Grand National Party may concede to the opposition against this project by agreeing to scale down the construction to two or three rivers. In light of this, the Lee administration is being seen as holding these groundbreaking ceremonies in succession in order to counter opposition that has mobilized public opinion about the environmental damage that the project will cause.

Kim Jin-pyo, member of the opposition Democratic Party’s Supreme Council, held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, “The Lee administration has pursued this project in spite of the opposition of a large number of people.” He added, “Today’s ceremonies will be ceremonies of despair, not ceremonies of hope.”

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