Preliminary Candidate Cheon Jeong-bae: "Making Gwangju a Major Hub City for Honam Development"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Cheon Jeong-bae, a preliminary candidate of the Minsheng Party for the 4·15 general election in Seo-gu (Eul), Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced on the 1st, "I will make Gwangju a major hub city for Honam development through large-scale SOC investment."

In a press release on the same day, Candidate Cheon presented the construction of the Dalbit (Gwangju-Daegu) inland high-speed railway, the early completion of the Gyeongjeon Line (Gwangju Songjeong-Suncheon) high-speed railway, and the construction of Section 4 of the Gwangju 3rd Ring Road as his 8th pledge for the general election.

He explained, "As the era of political competition in Honam opens, the fate of Honam is changing," adding, "The increase in national funding for Gwangju Urban Railway Line 2 and the Gwangju-Gangjin expressway, the commencement of the Gyeongjeon Line high-speed railway, and the second phase of KTX passing through Muan Airport are clear evidence of this."

He continued, "To compensate for the economic backwardness and devastation of Gwangju and Honam and reduce the gap with other regions, it is essential to create a major hub development strategy centered on Gwangju and have strong political power to promote it."

He emphasized, "By constructing the Dalbit inland railway, I will greatly expand Gwangju's economic area eastward across the country," adding, "Once the Dalbit railway is connected, it will link Yeong and Honam within an hour, and the complete vehicle industry in Gwangju and the automobile parts business in Daegu will be interconnected, opening a greater window of opportunity for cross-exports to the United States and China."

He also stated, "By early completion of the Gyeongjeon Line high-speed railway, I will make Gwangju a solid hinterland city for the development of the new southern economic zone," adding, "This project will be completed early to establish the foundation of the new southern economic zone and revitalize the southern economic zone connecting Yeong and Honam, including the expansion of tourism along the southern coast."

Along with this, he said, "The construction of Section 4 of the Gwangju 3rd Ring Road will complete the metropolitan living area centered on Gwangju," and claimed, "Among the 97 km section of the Gwangju 3rd Ring Road, the 32 km section connecting Hwasun and Damyang has not yet started."

He added, "Connecting this section will form a metropolitan urban area linking Gwangju and four nearby cities and counties: Naju, Damyang, Hwasun, and Jangseong," and stated, "This will greatly promote the win-win development of Gwangju and the surrounding areas."

Finally, he added, "Having served as Minister of Justice and a six-term member of the National Assembly, I have accumulated national administration experience and built networks," and pledged, "I will expedite the long-cherished wishes for the development of Gwangju and Honam."