Yangpyeong County Mayor: "No Benefits and No IC Construction on Yangseo-myeon Route"

Jeon Jin-seon Yangpyeong County Governor SBS Interview
"I Think the Democratic Party Will Apologize"

Regarding the allegations of preferential treatment related to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, Jeon Jin-seon, the mayor of Yangpyeong County, stated, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is proceeding well with a plan that our residents want, but one day the Democratic Party distorted the situation with fake news by mentioning First Lady Kim Keon-hee."

In an interview with SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 10th, Mayor Jeon refuted the Democratic Party's allegation that the terminus of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway was changed from the existing Yangseo-myeon to Gangsang-myeon to give preferential treatment to the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the afternoon of the 6th, Jeon Jin-seon, the mayor of Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, is announcing a statement regarding the cancellation of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project at the Yangpyeong County Office. 2023.7.6 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Mayor Jeon explained, "Since there is no land on the Yangseo-myeon side, we cannot build an IC in our Yangpyeong. The Gangha IC included in the alternative route was the wish of the Yangpyeong residents," adding, "(To build an IC) we cannot go towards Yangseo. To get there, we would have to cross the river again, and there is a city formed there."

He continued, "Going to Yangseo-myeon brings no benefit to our Yangpyeong residents. The residents there originally opposed the plan, saying land prices would fall and the scenery would be damaged," and said, "Currently, the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway, which has a bridge over 30 meters high, passes through there. To add a JC there, another such structure would have to be built. That neighborhood would be completely devastated."

He further explained that the demand to build an IC in Yangpyeong County was also made by previous mayors from the Democratic Party. Mayor Jeon added, "I believe the Democratic Party understands the local sentiment well. Isn't the Democratic Party also a party for our residents?" and said, "I think they will apologize."