South Korea's state-run audit agency has announced the results about its year-long inspection into the controversial river project spearheaded by former President Lee Myung-bak.
Kim Ji-yeon has more on this story.
"Poorly executed."
That's the Board of Audit and Inspection's assessment of the 20-billion U.S. dollar "Four Rivers Restoration" project envisioned and overseen by former President Lee Myung-bak.
The board has announced the results of its inspections which took place over the past year, after President Moon Jae-in raised the issue in May 2017.
The agency says Lee, who served as president from 2008 to 2013, gave specific orders to the then-Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2008 regarding the construction of the four rivers -- Hangang, Nakdong, Youngsan and Geum -- including how deep the rivers should be and the volume of water they should hold... conditions that would enable freight vessels to pass through.
Without questioning Lee's orders, the ministry compiled and announced a master plan the following year to reinforce dikes along the rivers, dredging and the construction of weirs.
This happened despite objections by the environment ministry, which said it would result in the deterioration of water quality.
The agency says critical factors were omitted from environmental screening following orders from the ex-president to shorten the project's construction period.
The agency says since the focus of its investigation was on Lee, it tried to contact him to find out the motive behind his orders, but said the former president repeatedly shot down auditors' visits and refused to answer questionnaires.
The agency says it's not clear whether Lee's orders were outside the boundaries of the law.
This means, despite finding grave discrepancies with the project and Lee's orders, it may be difficult to punish Lee, who the agency says knew about its faults,... but decided to push ahead regardless.
Lee is currently undergoing a criminal trial on charges he pocketed nearly ten million U.S. dollars in bribes from the nation's intelligence agency and local conglomerates... and embezzled about 30 million dollars from an auto parts company he allegedly controlled.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.
