By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter


President Roh Moo-hyun said Monday he would accept the Constitutional Court’s ruling against his capital relocation project but pledged to continue to seek balanced regional development through other means.

``Though there are various opinions and evaluations regarding the Constitutional Court’s reasoning for the ruling, nobody can deny its legal effect,’’ Roh said in an annual budget speech to the National Assembly read by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.

Roh also made it clear in his speech that his government is determined to pursue a plan that does not clash with the court’s ruling but maintains the principle of balanced development across the nation.

``We will soon present specific measures after canvassing public opinion and consulting with the (ruling) party,’’ Roh added.

Roh’s acceptance of the ruling eased concerns that the president might be set to collide head-on with the Constitutional Court after he indirectly expressed dissatisfaction with its decision.

The court ruled Thursday that the government’s plan to move the administrative capital was unconstitutional, putting the brakes on the relocation, which has been pursued by the Roh government as a key national project.

Roh stressed in his speech that balanced regional development could be achieved with the new capital project, noting skyrocketing real estate prices, traffic congestion and pollution in Seoul and its vicinity.

Turning to economic issues, Roh said his government would mobilize a variety of macroeconomic policies to help the economy grow by at least 5 percent next year.

``We are making efforts to reinvigorate the country’s economy with comprehensive `New Deal-like’ investment projects,’’ Roh said.

While the prime minister read Roh’s address, Grand National Party (GNP) lawmakers collectively left the plenary chamber in the National Assembly. The main opposition party previously threatened to boycott Lee’s speech unless he apologized for his recent critical remarks about the party and two conservative daily newspapers.

GNP chairwoman Park Geun-hye criticized Roh for taking an unclear position over the court’s ruling.

``Roh’s vague remark that `nobody can deny the ruling’s legal effect’ does not reveal whether he accepts the ruling or not, suggesting he has little respect for the court’s decision,’’ Park said. ``President Roh should make an apology to the nation.’’

Meanwhile, the ruling Uri Party welcomed Roh’s address and said his continued focus on the nation’s balanced development was proper.

``President Roh expressed his intention of boosting the sluggish economy by spending two-thirds of the address talking about economic issues,’’ Uri Party spokesman Im Jong-seok said in a news briefing. ``His pledge to seek measures (for balanced regional development) within the constitutional framework is also an appropriate approach.’’

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr