President Roh Says Violent Demonstration Not A Solution

President Roh Moo-hyun stated on November 21, in response to a demonstration by residents in Jeonbook Buan against the construction of a nuclear center, “Conversation will be possible if order and peace return, and the problem cannot be solved by means of a violent demonstration.”

Kwon Oh-kyu, the head secretary of policy for the president, reported that during a breakfast meeting with members of the Committee of Industry and Energy in the National Assembly at the Blue House that day, President Roh said, “There has been a public application procedure for the selection of a site, but now we are in a situation in which construction has been blocked by opposition from residents at the initial step of choosing a location from among those who have applied and have begun to make their case.” He went on to say, “It is important that we reach the point at which order is recovered and then persuasion of the residents can begin.” He also added, “After the scientific investigation is finished next July, then administrative procedures will begin, but since preparations are still ongoing, aren’t there procedures still remaining that are legally effective?”

When several members suggested that they put the matter to a vote after a one month discussion between the government and residents, President Roh replied, “A vote can only be considered if order is recovered and free exchange is assured, but how is this possible under the current circumstances?” emphasizing the importance of first recovering order. He added, “Their protests demonstrate that they have strayed from the right path, and it doesn’t make sense for them to be set free immediately despite the fact that they weakened public power and committed bad acts.”

Spokesman for the Blue House Yoon Tae-young explained, “A vote by the residents can be considered later, and the President stressed that the government would never stand down in the present situation.”

Fourteen members participated in the meeting, including Park Sang-kyu (GNP), the head of the nineteen members` committee of Industry and Energy in the National Assembly.

Young-Hae Choi yhchoi65@donga.com