On the 27th, President Lee Jae-myung, referring to the Saemangeum development project, said, "We have been doing this for thirty-some years, and who knows how many more years it will take," adding, "It needs to be adjusted to fit the times." He especially said that as Saemangeum development appears as a perennial campaign pledge every election in the Jeonbuk region, "What I hate most is 'hope torture,'" and said it is time to restructure it to match reality.

President Lee Jae-myung looks at attendees requesting the floor during the Town Hall Meeting Hear the Heart of North Jeolla at Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju, North Jeolla, on the 27th. /Courtesy of News1

At the Jeonbuk town hall meeting held at the Jeonbuk National University International Convention Center in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Lee said, "Saemangeum is the top concern and headache for Jeonbuk." Lee said, "If we keep going with the original plan, it will cost several trillion won, and making those investments is no easy task. I'm not even sure it is desirable to do so," adding, "That said, it doesn't seem like the parts already developed are being used firmly and well either, so it's really a dilemma."

In particular, he said there is no need to insist on the approach of reclaiming the sea for existing farming. Lee said, "It was originally planned for farming, but now we are laying solar panels. Do we have to make land to lay them? There is also floating solar. It is actually cleaner to manage," adding, "Isn't it time to realistically adjust it to the current times?"

He went on, "Politicians often push ahead with things that are unachievable or inefficient because of their own political standing, and isn't that a loss for everyone?" adding, "I would rather spend that money elsewhere. Give even about one-fifth of it in cash, or it would be better to give it to Jeonju or to Jeonbuk."

This is not the first time Lee has criticized the Saemangeum project as "hope torture." Last December, during a briefing from the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency, Lee told Commissioner Kim Eui-gyeom, "We must not inflict hope torture," adding, "In more than 30 years, we have managed to reclaim only 40% of the total area. Residents' expectations are high, but with the current finances it is hard to realize, and to be frank, fearing criticism, aren't we vaguely saying 'we will do it all'? That is why the numbers don't add up (properly)."

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