The government says an additional one and a half trillion won, or 960 million U.S. dollars, will be needed to revamp the nation's four major rivers.

In a meeting with senior ruling Grand National Party lawmakers, Minister of Land Chung Jong-hwan said the government is now considering revamping rivers other than the four originally scheduled for overhauls.

The minister also said plans to move up the starting date of the river projects will be reflected in the supplementary budget bill. He suggested the government boost the local economy by using domestic builders for 50 percent of the projects.

GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae said the river project has been stalled ever since the bidding process was completed. He urged progress on the project to increase the amount of new jobs and cash flow available to low-income earners.

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