"Construction of Donggang Dam is Undesirable", President Says

President Kim Dae-Jung said on August 6 that he thinks it would be desirable if the construction of the Donggang Dam can be avoided.
President Kim said in a joint news conference with four local branches of the Munhwa Broadcasting Company (MBC) in Kangwon Province that the government is not obligated to build the dam. This comes after opposition to the construction by civic groups because of fears for the preservation of the environment.
The Office of the Prime Minister has decided to set up a joint inspection team within this month in order to probe into the suitability of the dam construction.
Regarding the establishment of a new party, the President said that the National Congress for New Politics (NCNP) intends to recruit young people to lead Korea in the 21st century, even if the NCNP is made to evolve into a new party.
'The government plans to introduce concrete ways to improve the elective system, to legalize methods of political funding and prevent corruption. These will be announced in my address on the commemoration of Independence Day, which falls on August 15', the President added.
Seo Jang-soo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr