It is truly hard to look at the discord over relaxing regulations in the greater capital region. The war of nerves between prime minister Lee Hae Chan and Gyeonggi governor Sohn Hak Kyu that began May 7 at a meeting of the Task Force on Development in the Greater Capital Region is turning into an emotional confrontation instead of a difference of opinion. "Politically I am the more experienced hand and governor Sohn is way, way down there," said Lee recently, and in response Sohn said "never mind politics, doesn't [Lee] score zero when it comes to government administration and the economy?" Sohn said he was "ready to do battle with the national government" if he has to. There have been comment that are even less refined. The exchanges are not becoming of men who are politicians but are first and foremost, in Lee's case, a prime minister responsible for affairs of state and, in Sohn's case, the head of an important provincial government.
Add to all that the fact that 13 local governments not in the greater capital region are about to commence on "collective action." Last week 13 mayors and governors issued a joint declaration calling for the move to relax regulations in the greater capital region to be halted, and on Monday they issued joint statement saying that the easing of regulations for the capital region can come later, after development is better fostered in the provinces. These governments speak with one voice when talking to governments in the capital region, but when it comes to the issue of moving state corporations away from the capital they are in a confrontation that never yields. It is going to be a mud fight.
Policy differences are natural. It is also natural that local governments compete for the sake of regional development. But there should be certain limits. Nowhere do you see any room for coordination through understanding and concession. Easing regulations in the greater capital region and balanced national development are issues on which the country's future depends. If things do not move together like coordinated cogs it will be hard for anything to move right at all. It is hard enough to produce results when the national government and local governments have something to work on together, and so it is unfortunate to see nothing but political infighting and regionalism. The press must reflect on what it is doing, too, for using boxing terminology to describe who wins the each round of the rhetoric.
The Hankyoreh, 24 May 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] A Disgusting Mud Fight |
