Naval base on Jeju

Opponents need to see island’s strategic value 

A project to build a naval base on the nation’s southern resort island of Jeju has become a source of conflict ahead of April’s National Assembly elections. Tension is growing as environmentalists, civil activists and opposition politicians have raised their voices against the project, while the government has started construction work.

It is regrettable to see the nation sharply divided over the plan. The controversy is among hot-button campaign issues such as the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA). The main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) has already threatened to revise or nullify the trade deal if it takes power.

The DUP has added fuel to the controversy. It is apparently trying to rally voters behind its candidates before the polls. Few can deny it is opposing government policies and projects to win the elections by striking a populist note.

Late President Roh Moo-hyun and his party, the predecessor to the DUP, approved the project in 2007. Then-Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook once said that it was inevitable to build a base on Jeju Island to beef up naval forces and secure sea routes critical to the nation’s trade and commerce.

Han is now DUP chairwoman. And she has reneged on her remarks. She is also against the Korea-U.S. FTA which was initiated by the Roh administration. Han and other DUP members have to provide clear explanations on why they have changed their position on such important matters.

If they are against anything to do with President Lee only for the sake of opposition, they could run the risk of getting into deeper trouble. What they are doing now is none other than the negation of their own policies during the previous administration.

The project is essential to protecting the nation’s maritime routes for international trade. About 99 percent of inbound and outbound cargo passes through the southern sea off Jeju. The base, if completed, will serve as a strategic point for defense and security. It is also needed to cope with possible tension and disputes in East Asia where neighboring countries such as China compete for more influence in the region.

The DUP and its followers had better refrain from their unproductive efforts to nix the indispensable project. They should have a better understanding about the importance of the project. It is necessary for them to overcome their differences through dialogue and negotiation with the government.

Thus, the Lee government should make more efforts to ease its opponents’ concerns about environmental effects and other negative implications the project has on the self-proclaimed “Peace Island.”

We want to see the project translated into a civilian-military port complex in 2015 as planned. It will unquestionably not only boost the nation’s defense and security but also promote the island’s tourism. It’s time for all parties to pool their wisdom to make the project a success. <Korea Times>

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