[EDITORIAL] Sejong dialogue

No palpable progress was made on the Sejong City revision bill issue despite the marathon five-day discussion among ruling Grand National Party legislators. In fact, the discussion only highlighted the deepening gulf between the pro-Lee Myung-bak faction and the pro-Park Geun-hye faction of the GNP. Emotions ruled the day, rather than calm, rational discussions.

The bill is slated for submission to the National Assembly in the second half of this month. The GNP, running out of time, scurried to create a six-member group charged with reaching a compromise. Composed of two pro-Lee, two pro-Park and two other GNP legislators, the group is yet another attempt to arrive at a unified party position on the Sejong City revision bill before submitting it to the National Assembly.

Without the support of the pro-Park faction, the bill - which seeks to revise the original plan to create an administrative city in the South Chungcheong Province, creating in its place a science and education cluster - is unlikely to be passed by the legislature.

President Lee, visiting Daejeon Wednesday, asked the people of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province to understand the government`s reasons for seeking a revision to the original Sejong City plan.



"I believe the nation`s future depends on science and technology and education. This region should do its best to play its part for the nation`s future," said Lee. Only long-term regional and national developments should be considered in making the decision on Sejong City, he said, cautioning against letting politics rule the day.

The residents in the area are understandably upset by the Lee administration`s plan to change the identity of the original Sejong City, whose construction is already underway. Wednesday`s visit was the first by Lee since the government announced its intentions to revise the Sejong City plan in January and it remains to be seen whether his words will soothe the region`s anger and get them to consider the new option.

The next logical step would be for Lee to meet with Park, who commands a large following in the Chungcheong provinces and without whose help the administration`s revised bill is likely to sink. Park, who is presumed to be a leading presidential candidate in the next election, should assume a more proactive position and demonstrate her political mantle and prowess. Simply refusing dialogue and insisting on sticking to principles is easier than engagement. However, the country expects more from a politician of her stature.

The Blue House has flatly denied that a national referendum may be called for, an option that may at least have been considered by the administration. With that option now ruled out, the National Assembly will have to decide the issue through a vote which is likely to take place in April.

The GNP and the administration need to engage in more dialogue with the country, including the people in the affected region and opposition political parties. The newly formed six-member GNP committee should also be a venue for an open-minded debate within the deeply divided ruling party.