An aide close to President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday that the government's plan to build a network of cross-country waterways is not a front for the president's "grand canal" project.

Appearing on a television talk show, Park Hyung-joon, President Lee's public relations planner, noted that the presidential office respects public opposition to the canal project, adding that the waterway project is totally different matter.

Park stressed that the waterway project would be an ideal program in which to direct the planned increase in government spending and would help Korea build infrastructure during turbulent economic times.

He also said that the government should continue its streamlining of state-funded organizations.

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