Pangyo Development Sparks Political Strife

The policy dispute over how to develop Pangyo, 2,000 acres of largely agricultural land south of Seoul, is worsening.

At a policy meeting of the Millennium Democratic Party at its headquarters Thursday, Rep. Ahn Dong-seon, a member of the party's Supreme Council, demanded that Rep. Lee Hae-chan, the party's chief policymaker, postpone development decisions until the opinions of the Kyonggi provincial government and its legislators have been reviewed. This is the third time in recent weeks that the final decision on the development has been postponed.

The dispute centers on the size of the high-tech industrial district within the proposed new town. Construction Minister O Jang-seop suggested reserving only 33 hectares for the district in order to make the new town a low-density residential area. Mr. Lee supports this plan.

But Lim Chang-yuel, governor of Kyonggi province, and Rep. Lee Yoon-soo, who represents the Sujeong district, which is next to Pangyo, argue that 200 hectares is a more appropriate figure. The two said a smaller high-tech area will turn Pangyo into just another bedroom community of Seoul.

Ruling party officials said the dispute could degenerate to the point that the development plan is scrapped altogether. They cite the lack of cooperation between the Ministry of Construction and local governments and the conflicting interests of provincial and municipal governments as well as local legislators. They added that a "less-than-thorough" policy review by the ruling party leadership is another factor undermining the proper development of Pangyo.

And as next year's local and presidential elections draw closer, intertwined political interests will further complicate the final decision if it continues to be delayed, a ruling party official warned.

by Lee Yang-soo