President Roh at Choongbuk Forum

President Roh said on October 20, “If a time comes when the Seoul metropolitan area’s self interest-oriented demand is always met, the underrepresented regions in Korea may face serious consequences due to resulting conflicts and confrontations.”

In the “Debate on a Five-year Plan of Innovation and Development in Choongbuk Province” held that day at Jecheon City Hall in Choongbuk, Roh highlighted, “The NIMBY mentality of powerful, top-tier, and strong groups may aggravate the social gap and conflict, creating a severe vicious cycle.”

President Roh also said, “In this regard, the local NIMBY and that of the Seoul metropolitan area should be viewed differently,” and called on the Seoul metropolitan area, saying, “As a region that leads the entire nation, I sincerely hope that the Seoul metropolitan area will take on a national viewpoint.”

His remark is directed at the fierce opposition against the capital relocation project by the Seoul metropolitan area and Gyeonggi Province, mindful of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the petition regarding the Administrative Capital Relocation Act, which is scheduled for October 21.

The president said, “The underprivileged, marginalized, and underdeveloped regions should work together to raise their voice so that they can gain support, which means they need to acknowledge the NIMBY at times. However, the haves and the strong must not unite solely based on their interest, but should go along with other people and regions by embracing and sharing.”

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com