Gwangsuhoon, Gwangju City Council Member, "Welcomes Balsan Park Ecological Restoration Project"

Statement Announcement... "First Step Toward a Nature-Coexisting City"

Kang Su-hoon, Gwangju City Council Member.

Kang Su-hoon, a member of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Seo-gu 1), issued a "welcome statement" regarding the selection of Balsan Park for the Ministry of Environment’s "Urban Ecological Axis Restoration Project."

Balsan Park, which forms a long ridge stretching from the old Western Police Station site in Yangdong, Seo-gu to Gwangcheon Elementary School in Nongsong-dong, was designated as an urban park in 1967. However, for over 50 years, no projects were carried out, resulting in severe soil pollution due to green space destruction, cultivation, and illegal dumping, leaving the park neglected as an "eyesore in the city."

In his statement, Councilor Kang said, "Balsan Park has excellent transportation accessibility, including the Gwangcheon-dong Comprehensive Bus Terminal and the subway (Dolgogae Station), which will become a regional representative 'complex cultural and tourism landmark.'" He added, "It is also adjacent to the Gwangju Stream, making it easy to travel by bicycle, making it an ideal place to realize the vision of a large poster city, Gwangju."

He continued, "Through the restoration project, Balsan Park will be developed into a healing spot in the city by combining an ecological learning center and urban gardens, serving as the 'lungs of Seo-gu.'" He emphasized, "Given its location surrounded by mountains and water in the heart of the city and its historical and cultural resources, it will greatly contribute to restoring the local ecosystem and improving citizens' quality of life."

He stated, "Creating a space centered on Balsan Park for intergenerational empathy and communication will greatly help build a community of harmony and unity." He proposed, "I suggest that resident autonomy organizations, civil society, and local groups actively cooperate so that the Ministry of Environment’s ecological forest restoration project can be an important step toward a sustainable future for Gwangju."

Councilor Kang also expressed, "I deeply appreciate the efforts of Gwangju City and related personnel, and I hope that continuous management and support will be provided so that this restoration project remains a valuable legacy for future generations."