Criticism Over Inadequate Supervision of Temporary Passenger Terminal Parking Lot Construction and Samhakdo Artificial Waterway Management at Samhak Pier
Yoo Chang-hoon, a member of the Mokpo City Council (representing Mokwon, Dongmyeong, Manho, and Yudal-dong), raised questions on the 14th during the 389th 1st regular session about the problems and improvement directions of projects underway in the old downtown area of Mokpo.
Councilman Yoo pointed out, “The Samhakdo restoration project is scheduled for completion in 2025, but it has not been finished yet,” and criticized the issue, noting that the temporary passenger terminal parking lot project within Samhak Pier was transferred from the Marine Port Department to the Urban Cultural Heritage Department. He added that 800 million won, originally allocated for the restoration project, was instead budgeted for the temporary parking lot, which was created at the Sea World Mokpo-Jeju terminal. He strongly questioned whether there was ever a plan to create a temporary parking lot as part of the Samhakdo restoration project.
He continued, “It is a special privilege for a private interest group that Mokpo City diverted the budget to create a temporary passenger terminal parking lot within Samhak Pier, which is not even part of the Samhakdo restoration project, on land owned by the Marine and Fisheries Office.”
Mokpo City Council member Yoo Chang-hoon is asking questions about the problems and improvement directions of projects underway in the original downtown area of Mokpo during the 389th 1st regular meeting on the 14th. [Photo by Mokpo City Council]
He also criticized the management and supervision of the artificial waterway, a core part of the Samhakdo restoration project, saying, “Currently, the water quality of the artificial waterway, the foul odor, and insect larvae in the waterway are causing citizens to frown. Mokpo City has neglected the waterway for 20 years without ever establishing a management plan,” and urged, “Shouldn’t active improvements be made to attract tourists to Samhakdo?” He called for prompt measures to be taken.
In response, Jeong Byeong-cheol, head of the Urban Development Project Group, replied, “We will secure a budget and prepare to conduct a study through a specialized agency.”
Regarding Yoo Chang-hoon’s question about the Samil-ro road passing through the downtown area, he said, “This project started in 2008 and is scheduled to end in 2027. However, progress has been quite slow since last year, and only 100 million won has been allocated for this year.” He added, “As a result, residents’ inconvenience and dissatisfaction are increasing day by day, and banners have even been hung. Can the project be completed as originally planned?” He requested efforts to improve residents’ convenience and living environment as soon as possible.
He also pointed out that in the current Seosan-dong Barley Yard regeneration project area, houses were demolished to build a road, but the road paving has not been done, and the site has been left unattended for nearly five years. He emphasized that residents currently living there suffer from dust and sandstorms and called for prompt action.
In response, Mayor Park Hong-ryul said, “We will actively devise measures and strive to improve the situation.”
Finally, Yoo Chang-hoon stated, “Over the past 10 years, the population in each neighborhood of Mokpo’s old downtown has decreased by about 300 people annually on average. The population decline and outflow in Mokpo City are serious issues, and unique policies for Mokpo are needed to prevent further population loss and decline.”
He urged the administration, “In line with the slogan of bringing youth back, I hope you will develop youth policies and establish Mokpo-specific population policies to prepare for population decline and outflow.”
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