Busan Facilities Corporation Installs Public Design Improvements
"Feels Like an Accident Waiting to Happen While Reading" Netizens Criticize
The phrase 'Kkwe·Kki·Kkang·Kkol·Kkeun' displayed above the Daeyeon Tunnel on the Busan Urban Expressway is receiving criticism from netizens and highway users. It is said to be a phrase mentioned by Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun at the beginning of this year’s opening ceremony, but the meaning is unclear, leaving those passing through the tunnel and Busan citizens confused and bewildered. On the 22nd, an online community called 'Etorand' posted a message saying, "There is a sign that says 'Kkwekkikkangkkol kkeun' above the Daeyeon Tunnel on the Busan Urban Expressway. What is this?"
The phrase "Kkwe·kki·kkang·kkol·kkeun" displayed above the Daeyeon Tunnel on the Busan Urban Expressway is receiving criticism from netizens and expressway users. It is said to be a phrase mentioned by Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun at the beginning of this year's opening ceremony, but netizens passing through the tunnel and Busan citizens are confused and find it absurd due to the incomprehensible characters. [Photo by online community 'Etoland']
The author, Mr. A, recently passed through Busan’s Daeyeon Tunnel and noticed the strange characters, asking netizens, "What on earth does this mean?" In response, one netizen commented, "I searched and found a YouTube video of Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun," sharing the video. Another netizen shared a post explaining the meaning of this phrase.
The phrase 'Kkwekkikkangkkol kkeun' was mentioned by Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun at the opening ceremony on January 2nd as the five virtues that public officials should possess. At the time, Mayor Park said, "To establish our identity as beings with public goodwill, we need Kkwe (wisdom), Kki (energy and talent), Kkang (courage), Kkol (design), and Kkeun (networking)."
After Mayor Park’s mention, the Busan Facilities Corporation installed the phrase here on the 21st as the first project to improve public design in Busan. The corporation stated that the meaning behind the phrase is relatable and was approached as an emotional message for citizens. A representative from the Busan Facilities Corporation said, "Writer Joo Chul-hwan first mentioned this in his book, and later Mayor Park spoke about this phrase. Since the meaning is relatable, we internally planned and promoted it."
Despite the corporation’s explanation, citizens responded with confusion and disbelief. One netizen criticized, "Using the mayor’s personal words on a public tunnel with city funds seems irrational." Another netizen pointed out that the characters could cause accidents, saying, "I almost had an accident because of those strange five characters," and criticized, "I don’t understand why strange characters were installed on a highway where cars are speeding."
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