Korea Water: May 26, 2008: Canal Project politics.

More political developments in the Korean canal project.

Peter Huston

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http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=050000&biid=2008052623828

‘Canal Project Involves Repair of 4 Great Rivers’

MAY 26, 2008 07:52


A researcher at a state-run institute researching the grand canal project has raised controversy by saying linking the waterways of the Korean Peninsula and repairing the four great rivers are part of the project.

Dr. Kim I-tae of Korea Institute of Construction Technology posted Saturday the article “I’m a Researcher Participating in the Grand Canal Project,” on the Web portal site Daum.

The think tank was assigned to research the canal project by the Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry.

Kim wrote, “Everyday, I’m asked by the ministry to answer the arguments of those opposed to the canal project, and despite every effort of my brain, I’m unable to refute the opposing opinions. There is no substance in the research done by so many experts over the past decade.”

“If [the government] has nothing to hide, it should organize a unit under the ministry and review opinions with an open attitude, rather than forming a secret group in the Korea Water Resources Corp. in Gwacheon.”

Kim introduced himself as a pseudo-scientist taking part in the research with no ulterior motives. “Posting this writing will bring me disadvantages because I signed a security memorandum, but I decided to publicize this to prevent the devastation of Korea’s land.”

He is known to be involved with the water quality part of the project.

A ministry official said in response, “This is the personal opinion of the researcher, and the ministry has never ordered its researchers to write answers to refute opposing opinions. The grand canal preparation team of the ministry, not a secret group, is directing the commissioning of research.”

On the security memorandum, the official said, “It is a general procedure included in all research projects commissioned by the government based on the provision on security tasks. This is to prevent confusion that can be brought about by leaks of undecided policy.”