[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The Gwangju Metropolitan Council actively welcomed the decision by Gwangju City on the 22nd to withdraw the plan to promote the apartment complex development project on the site of Shinyang Park Hotel and to purchase the site to return it to the citizens.
On the 23rd, the Gwangju City Council stated in a position paper, “The withdrawal of the Shinyang Park Hotel apartment complex development project is a stern command from the citizens of Gwangju to preserve the environment rather than reckless development and to create a sustainable Gwangju. It is also a warning from the citizens of Gwangju against the complacent response that almost allowed an apartment complex to be built on the foothills of Mudeungsan, a national park.”
It continued, “It is truly fortunate that through dialogue and communication over conflicts and controversies in the local community, a public-private-government-academia council composed of the city council, civic groups, administration, and experts has been formed to find a solution. The significance is even greater as this is a choice to prevent further reckless development of Mudeungsan and to protect the unique character of Gwangju,” it added.
It also emphasized, “Mudeungsan is the precious life and history of the citizens of Gwangju, encompassing their past and present and opening the future. ‘Mother’s Mountain’ Mudeungsan must now be fully returned to the citizens and become a gift to be passed on to future generations.”
Furthermore, it said, “The Gwangju City Council will no longer tolerate attempts at reckless development that may sprout like weeds around the Mudeungsan area, and will also prepare sustainable policy alternatives for urban public interest.”
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