Won Hee-ryong Highway Cancellation... Opposition Party "No Problem, So Why Stop?"

New Phase in Kim Geon-hee Family Favoritism Allegations
Former Official: "Pressure for Favors? I Will Stake My Ministerial Position"
Opposition: "Planning to Run in General Election... How Will You Take Responsibility?"

On the 6th, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong announced the complete cancellation of the 'Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway Project,' to which the Democratic Party of Korea responded with, "If there is no problem, why stop it?"

Jung Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on Facebook that day, "It's really strange. If there is no problem, why stop it? Keep pushing forward," adding, "The world is a strange place, truly a bizarre matter."

Earlier, the Democratic Party raised suspicions that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport attempted to change the route of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway to give preferential treatment to the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway is scheduled to open in 2031 and connects Gamildong, Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, and Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong County. It passed the preliminary feasibility study two years ago.

However, it was confirmed that in May, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reviewed changing the expressway's terminus from the existing Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong County, to Gangsang-myeon. As it became known that the Kim family owns land near Gangsang-myeon, allegations of preferential treatment arose.

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is speaking at the practical party-government consultation meeting of the People Power Party's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee regarding fake news about the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, held on the morning of the 6th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

As the suspicions showed signs of spreading, Minister Won announced on the 6th that the project would be completely canceled. After a party-government council meeting that day, Minister Won said, "The Democratic Party is trying to create a devil that does not exist with fake news," adding, "No matter how much I explain, it is clear that the Democratic Party is not interested in the truth or the benefits to the residents of Yangpyeong County and road users, but only in using this as a political attack target."

He continued, "If there is any fact that I received a request or pressure related to the land of the First Lady, I will stake my ministerial position and political life," and demanded, "Instead, if the investigation results prove that the allegations raised by the Democratic Party are groundless and false, the Democratic Party should take down its sign."

However, despite Minister Won's explanation, the Democratic Party has not eased its suspicion. Supreme Council member Ko Min-jung wrote on Facebook after Minister Won's announcement, "A 1.7 trillion won project completely halted by the minister's personal decision?" adding, "I don't care about the minister's position since he was going to quit anyway to run in the general election. I will watch to see what responsibility he takes for this situation."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party filed a complaint with the police against former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan and others who raised the allegations. Won Young-seop, head of the People Power Party's Media Legal Team, after submitting the complaint to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul that morning, told reporters, "Former leader Lee Hae-chan's remarks go beyond simple defamation of President Yoon and constitute false defamation regarding the entire state affairs," explaining the reason for the complaint.

The legal team explained the day before regarding the allegations, "The Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway route change was not finalized but was one of three proposed alternatives in this case," adding, "The problematic alternative was prepared by officials following proper procedures, and President Yoon was not involved in the route change at all."