Cross-Korea Canal Project 'Still On'

Rumors of the demise of President Lee Myung-bak's divisive cross-Korea canal project are "totally unfounded," said Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Minister Chung Jong-hwan on Monday.

He was speaking in the National Assembly's Construction and Transportation Committee. "Neither Cheong Wa Dae nor the president plan to postpone the project, but they want to carry out a public opinion survey before they carry it out."

The minister said, "If civilian businesses submit a letter of intent, the government will disclose a concrete plan after reviewing matters of public concern based on the letter." But Chung said there was "no concrete plan" for the start of the project yet.

The construction companies carrying out a feasibility study are expected to submit their letter of intent to the government next month, so an opinion survey would probably not begin until later in June.