Minister Won Listens to Opposition Against Passing Through Downtown Suncheon
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] The electrification project of the Gyeongjeon Line, which passes through the downtown area of Suncheon and has faced opposition from citizens, is showing signs of resolution following a site visit by Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
No Gwan-gyu, Mayor of Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, has strongly insisted on changing the basic plan from the beginning of his term, arguing that the Gyeongjeon Line passing through the downtown area hinders urban development. He has continuously requested the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to visit Suncheon, and the citizens of Suncheon have united in demanding a bypass of the Gyeongjeon Line.
On the 16th, Minister Won Hee-ryong visited Suncheon and, in response to the demand for reflecting a bypass route of the Gyeongjeon Line?which even experts had deemed impossible?Suncheon City elicited a reply that the government would find a way to change the route to a bypass at the national level.
On that day, Minister Won visited the Namjeong Crossing site where the Gyeongjeon Line passes through downtown, and about 200 Suncheon citizens gathered at the site to welcome his visit and express their hope for a bypass of the Gyeongjeon Line.
At the site, Mayor No said, “I hope the unfortunate event of passing through the downtown area will be stopped and that the decision will be made using the most rational and appropriate method among the proposals suggested by Suncheon City,” and reiterated his opposition to the Gyeongjeon Line passing through downtown, saying, “I hope you will review once again how the railway should be routed from a national perspective.”
Minister Won said, “Regarding the opposition to the Gyeongjeon Line passing through downtown Suncheon, I have heard from Mayor No Gwan-gyu since the launch of the new government and have conducted a comprehensive review. While bypassing downtown Suncheon, since this project is related to other local governments, we will find a realistic and wise method. We will find a way to bypass downtown as the citizens of Suncheon wish.”
He also said, “The existing project budget has already been allocated, but if we proceed with the bypass, it will cost at least an additional 100 billion won,” adding, “The government will take responsibility for the additional budget. I will report well to the President after returning,” providing a clear answer to the long-standing Gyeongjeon Line issue that had been a source of frustration for Suncheon citizens.
Meanwhile, a citizen who visited the site opposing the Gyeongjeon Line passing through downtown said, “Until now, there was no hope. I thought it was impossible, but today Minister Won Hee-ryong came and gave positive remarks, so I am grateful,” expressing welcome for the decision to bypass downtown. They added, “As expected, the powerful Mayor No Gwan-gyu and the citizens of Suncheon pushed forward and achieved a good result.”
Despite some negative views from certain quarters that fail to empathize with the suffering of Suncheon citizens over the city’s stance against the Gyeongjeon Line passing through downtown, the decisive and persistent Mayor No Gwan-gyu and the power of the citizens of Suncheon, who make the impossible possible, have come together to link the final progressive solution to the ‘Gyeongjeon Line downtown passage’ issue as the ‘Gyeongjeon Line downtown bypass.’
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr
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