Yangpyeong-gun "Wants Highway with IC"... Controversy Involving Former and Current County Governors

Minju: "Requested Additional IC on Yangseo-myeon Route"
Jeon Jin-seon County Governor: "If We Build IC, Can't Go to Yangseo"

The dispute between the ruling and opposition parties continues over the change of the terminus of the Seoul∼Yangpyeong Expressway project and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's decision to cancel the project.

As the Democratic Party raised allegations of special favors for the family of First Lady Kim Geon-hee related to the change of the expressway terminus, it was confirmed that the original route included land owned by the family of a former Yangpyeong County governor affiliated with the Democratic Party, bringing the special favor allegations into a new phase. Confusion deepens as the statements of former and current county governors from different political parties also conflict.

This controversy arose when the original plan, which designated Yangseo-myeon as the terminus, passed the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) two years ago, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport changed the terminus to the area of Gangsan-myeon last May. Allegations of special favors were raised after it was confirmed that the family of First Lady Kim owned land near the terminus of the changed route.

On the morning of the 9th, Jeon Jin-seon, Yangpyeong County Governor, along with members of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and county councilors affiliated with the People Power Party, visited the Democratic Party of Korea's central office in Yeouido, Seoul, to express Yangpyeong County's position regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project, which Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong declared 'canceled.'
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong strongly denied the allegations and declared that the project would be completely canceled. As criticism arose from the opposition questioning whether it was appropriate to easily overturn a national project, the blame game between the ruling and opposition parties intensified.

In this situation, Jeon Jin-seon, the current Yangpyeong County governor affiliated with the People Power Party, and Yangpyeong residents visited the Democratic Party in protest on the 9th. Governor Jeon mentioned that the wish of Yangpyeong residents is the revised plan that includes the installation of an interchange (IC), and many residents oppose the original plan because it does not include an IC.

Governor Jeon explained, "The Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway construction plan that passed the government's PFS in April 2021 was an expressway without an IC in Yangpyeong County," and added, "Yangpyeong County has repeatedly requested the government to build an expressway with an IC in our county."

He continued, "The Democratic Party launched a political offensive by raising issues about the land of First Lady Kim's family regarding the route plan that contained the wishes of Yangpyeong residents, and on top of that, they are now forming a committee to promote the original plan and insist on returning to the route from the PFS period," and questioned, "The original route from the PFS period does not include an IC and is opposed by local residents, so who exactly is the original plan promotion for?" Governor Jeon and the People Power Party maintain that the installation of an IC was also demanded by the Democratic Party two years ago.

The Democratic Party's position is that they advocated for installing an IC on the original plan, not for changing the terminus. Lee So-young, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said in a briefing on the 9th, "The county governors and local committee heads from the Democratic Party only requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to find a way to add an IC to the original plan; they never mentioned a route terminating at Gangsan-myeon," and claimed, "'Kim Geon-hee Road' is a route clearly designed to give special favors to the family of First Lady Kim."

However, Governor Jeon rebutted that installing an IC on the original plan as the Democratic Party claims is not feasible. Governor Jeon explained, "(To build an IC) you cannot go toward Yangseo. To get there, you have to cross a river again, and there is a city formed there."

He added, "Currently, the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway, which is already open, passes there on a bridge over 30 meters high. To attach a junction (JC) there, another such structure would have to be built. That neighborhood would be completely devastated."