Gov't to drive 'Green New Deal' projects in earnest
- 관리자
- 2009.01.07
- Hit 4367
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo announces 'Green New Deal' plans.The Korean government will inject 50 trillion won (US$38 billion) into green growth plans for the next four years and 960,000 new jobs will be created under the ambitious plan, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said Tuesday (Jan. 6).
In the first Cabinet meeting of the year held at Cheong Wa Dae, Han presented "Green New Deal Plans for Job Creation," comprising 36 major projects. The meeting was presided over by President Lee Myung-bak.
The "Green New Deal" has been named after the New Deal, an economic initiative of the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The Prime Minister said 39 trillion won has been budgeted for nine core projects, which are expected to create as many as 690,000 jobs. A further 11 trillion won has been allocated for 27 subsidiary projects that will create 270,000 jobs. Posts for young job seekers are estimated to account for about 10 percent of all new positions, he said.
The government's number one priority among the 36 projects is the restoration of four major rivers – the Han, Geum, Nakdong and Yeongsan Rivers. The project aims to prevent disasters from flood and drought, secure water resources, enhance water purity and expand the number of environmentally-friendly spots.
When the project is completed, the rivers will have not only more water-control facilities but also newer green infrastructure, including eco-parks and a 1,297km bike path. Almost 20 trillion won will be spent on the project and 280,000 people will have new jobs during these tough times. The government also plans to use the restored rivers as central points for reinvigorating regional economies.
The "Green Transportation Network" is another of the government's ambitious plans, the Prime Minister said. According to the plan, a grand bike transportation route, stretching over 3,000 km will be constructed by 2018. The route will connect the entire coastal area of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula -- from Gangwha Island (in Gyeonggi Province), to Mokpo (in South Jeolla Province), Pohang (North Gyeongsang Province) and Goseong (Gangwon Province). When finished, it will provide a great opportunity for keen cyclists to bike their way throughout Korea.
A hundred new roads will also be built along the rivers nationwide, Han said, and 20 some watercourses around the country will be renovated in a manner similar to Seoul's Cheonggyecheon (stream).
The plan further said that by 2012, 20 percent of public facilities will have light-emitting diode (LED) lights and the number of environmentally-friendly vehicles, including hybrid cars, low-pollution automobiles and natural gas buses, will rise to 68,000.
By James Ro
Korea.net Staff Writer
In the first Cabinet meeting of the year held at Cheong Wa Dae, Han presented "Green New Deal Plans for Job Creation," comprising 36 major projects. The meeting was presided over by President Lee Myung-bak.
The "Green New Deal" has been named after the New Deal, an economic initiative of the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The Prime Minister said 39 trillion won has been budgeted for nine core projects, which are expected to create as many as 690,000 jobs. A further 11 trillion won has been allocated for 27 subsidiary projects that will create 270,000 jobs. Posts for young job seekers are estimated to account for about 10 percent of all new positions, he said.
The government's number one priority among the 36 projects is the restoration of four major rivers – the Han, Geum, Nakdong and Yeongsan Rivers. The project aims to prevent disasters from flood and drought, secure water resources, enhance water purity and expand the number of environmentally-friendly spots.
When the project is completed, the rivers will have not only more water-control facilities but also newer green infrastructure, including eco-parks and a 1,297km bike path. Almost 20 trillion won will be spent on the project and 280,000 people will have new jobs during these tough times. The government also plans to use the restored rivers as central points for reinvigorating regional economies.
The "Green Transportation Network" is another of the government's ambitious plans, the Prime Minister said. According to the plan, a grand bike transportation route, stretching over 3,000 km will be constructed by 2018. The route will connect the entire coastal area of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula -- from Gangwha Island (in Gyeonggi Province), to Mokpo (in South Jeolla Province), Pohang (North Gyeongsang Province) and Goseong (Gangwon Province). When finished, it will provide a great opportunity for keen cyclists to bike their way throughout Korea.
A hundred new roads will also be built along the rivers nationwide, Han said, and 20 some watercourses around the country will be renovated in a manner similar to Seoul's Cheonggyecheon (stream).
The plan further said that by 2012, 20 percent of public facilities will have light-emitting diode (LED) lights and the number of environmentally-friendly vehicles, including hybrid cars, low-pollution automobiles and natural gas buses, will rise to 68,000.
By James Ro
Korea.net Staff Writer