SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) Clerics from Korea’s four major religions called for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to withdraw support for a controversial river project or resign. They say the way the government has pushed through the $19 billion Four Rivers dam and dredging venture on the country’s major rivers is a challenge to democracy and religious values.
About 100 clerics, including 30 Catholic priests, fasted in protest against the massive construction project October 4-6 in front of the Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.
The religious leaders also decided to stage a boycott of products from companies involved in the undertaking and warned elected officials favoring the project that they must face voters in the next election.
Some 50 clerics from Korea’s four major religions — Catholicism, Buddhism, Won-Buddhism and Protestantism — called a news conference as the fast concluded and demanded that Lee resign if he continues to support the project.
"The river project is devastating the rivers. It violates life, insults and challenges religions that raise and protect it," they said in a press release.
"President Lee Myung-bak pushes the project, ignores people’s opinion and avoids regulations. His administration disregards people and overlooks democracy. If he insists on going against the people’s will, we will definitely demand for his resignation," they added.
Augustine Maeng Joo-hyung, coordinator of the Catholic Solidarity for Deterrence of Four Major Rivers Project told UCA News Oct. 6 that the statement was developed during an earlier joint prayer rally. "There is no doubt that the solidarity among the major religions against the Four Rivers project will continue," he said.
Authorities claim the work on the rivers is needed to prevent flooding and pollution. However, opponents claim the project will worsen flooding and lead to greater pollution.