RSSSEOUL (UCAN) — More than 1,000 clergymen have joined the campaign against the government’s construction project on four major rivers in South Korea.
The Catholic Solidarity for Deterrence of Four Major Rivers Project released a statement yesterday arguing that the project is illegal and will kill the four rivers.
The statement was signed by 1,104 priests and bishops including Bishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoon of Suwon, retired Bishop Paul Choi Deog-ki of Suwon, Bishop Boniface Choi Ki-san of Incheon, Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik of Daejeon and Bishop Lucas Kim Woon-hoe of Chunchon.
The group was formed last December to protest against the project. Justice and peace committees and environment pastoral committees of 11 dioceses joined.
“It’s a sin to implement the project of digging up the rivers, the source of all life and the lifeline of South Korea, despite most people’s objections. We will keep fighting to stop it,” the statement said.
The group promised to hold Masses and sit-in protests at construction sites and join the national campaign against the project.
They will support political candidates who object to the project in the June 2 nationwide local elections.
The government began the 22.2 trillion won (US$19.4 billion) Four Major Rivers Restoration Project last November.
The project, said to be needed to stop flooding and pollution, involves dredging and constructing weirs and dams on the country’s four major rivers.
Environmentalists and civic groups argue that the water gates and weirs will lock up pollutants and worsen water quality.
“The government is misleading the public with false information,” Father Joseph Cho Hae-bung, president of the Catholic solidarity group, told UCA News.
“Our declaration aims to help the faithful and people judge it correctly.”
Father Simeon Park Chang-kyun, president of the Committee for Justice and Peace of Masan diocese, said the government was implementing the project without adequate environmental-impact assessments.
KO09052.1592 March 9, 2010 33 EM-lines (305 words)
Religious leaders join forces to fight waterways project
Bishop slams government ‘policies for the rich?
Share
Twitter