Yisang-il, Mayor of Yongin, "Governor Kim Dong-yeon Has Neglected the 'Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railroad'"

Sharp Criticism Unveiled at New Year's Press Briefing with 'Chronological Records'
"If the Project Succeeds, Governor Kim Will Not Receive Any Credit"

Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin City, who has been in conflict with Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon over the 'Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railroad' project, sharpened his stance once again. On the 22nd, during Yongin City's New Year's press briefing held at Giheung ICT Valley, he devoted considerable time to criticizing Governor Kim.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin City, is explaining his position on the 'Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railroad' during the New Year's press briefing on the 22nd. Photo by Yongin City

During the explanation of Yongin City's railway network construction plan for this year, Mayor Lee compared the press releases related to the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railroad project from both the city and Gyeonggi Province in a chronological format through a separate presentation.

Mayor Lee stated, "According to the press releases issued by Gyeonggi Province since the launch of the 8th local government, there is hardly any trace of Governor Kim's efforts to establish the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railroad," adding, "It would not be an exaggeration to say that the only thing the governor has done for this project was signing an agreement in February 2023 with the mayors of Yongin, Suwon, Seongnam, and Hwaseong."

Mayor Lee claimed, "Regarding the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railroad, it was only after repeatedly pointing out Governor Kim's irresponsibility and Gyeonggi Province's complacency since November last year that the province finally mentioned the project, but even then, most of it was just excuses."

He further raised his criticism toward Governor Kim, saying, "The request for a meeting I proposed during the policy meeting with 31 cities and counties in the province on November 11 last year was rejected by Governor Kim's side, and they have not met since."

Mayor Lee particularly said, "In June last year, Gyeonggi Province submitted its own campaign project, the GTX Plus three projects, to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as the top three priorities of the province's metropolitan railroad projects without consulting the mayors of the four cities, nor informing them."

He added, "I want to make it clear once again that if this project is realized, Governor Kim will not receive any credit because he has betrayed the wishes of the citizens of the four cities."