It is shocking to learn that Saemaul Centers (Saemaul Hoegwan) are being converted into pleasure centers complete with motels, bars, and sometimes even golf ranges. The national Saemaeul organization is diverting tens of billions of won in government assistance to invest indiscriminately in businesses that make lots of money, leaving taxpayers dumbfounded. The merits and shortcomings of the Saemaeul Movement started during the days of the Park Chung Hee development dictatorship and what the movement means today are secondary issues; this scandal makes you question yet again why the law provides it with funding. Furthermore, the funding is reportedly spent at the hands of the government and ruling party ahead of election dates. That shows you how the legislation on Saemaeul funding is being abused for political ends.
The national organization says it has developed guidelines so that profit-making programs are operated within the spirit and goals of the Saemaeul Movement. At the Saemaeul Center that is being constructed in North Gyeongsang, however, there is supposed to be a "Saemaeul History Hall," but also a swimming pool, health club, and sauna. The guidelines the national organization says it has had in place for two years has turned into a piece of decoration that is not being put to use in regular center operations. Such is the situation, and yet the organization says that is has not received any more reports of problematic businesses moving into provincial Saemaeul Centers. That can only be seen as a confession, one stating that its management of provincial centers and the organization's overall reporting structure is a mess.
The people's taxes are being spent on things inconsistent with the goals of the Saemaeul spirit, it is taking place as if different centers are competing to out-do each other, and the centers are not being managed properly. That being the case the conclusion is clear; stop funding center construction. This should be taken as an opportunity to ask once again the question of that it means to carry on the spirit of the Saemaeul Movement, and to question the legislation that provides for government funding.
The Hankyoreh, 28 June 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Stop Gov't Funding for Saemaeul Centers |
