"New Facility Without Residents' Consent
Requires Complete Reconsideration"
There has been criticism that the plan to build a new Gwangju Detention Center in Ilgok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju is a "unilateral decision that ignores the opinions of residents." The Buk-gu Council has officially requested that the Ministry of Justice and Gwangju City reconsider the site and gather residents' opinions.
Site location for the planned Gwangju Detention Center. Provided by the office of Representative Son Hyejin.
Son Hyejin, a member of the Gwangju Buk-gu Council (Progressive Party, Yongbong, Maegok, Ilgok, Samgak-dong), stated during a five-minute free speech at the 301st temporary session held the previous day, "Ilgok-dong is an area densely populated with residences and schools, and residents have continuously demanded that it is an inappropriate site for a detention center." She added, "Nevertheless, the Ministry of Justice is pushing ahead with the construction of the new detention center while ignoring these concerns."
Son pointed out, "Buk-gu has suggested alternatives such as expansion or utilizing nearby sites, but the Ministry of Justice has only repeated that 'there is no suitable site.' Even though residents have consistently raised issues, the Ministry of Justice is only now starting to communicate, which is irresponsible." She continued, "In Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam, the Ministry of Justice, the county governor, and resident representatives formed a consultative body, held a resident vote and public debates. In Busan, the city conducted public opinion surveys and debates, sufficiently reflecting residents' opinions." She emphasized, "The Ministry of Justice must undergo a public consultation process like in other regions."
Son also pointed out the responsibility of Gwangju City. "Gwangju City proposed the Ilgok-dong site to the Ministry of Justice without residents' consent and is now belatedly requesting a review," she said. "Since both the Ministry of Justice and the city have fueled conflicts over the new detention center, they must now properly reflect residents' voices and come up with reasonable measures."
The controversy over the new detention center in Ilgok-dong began when the Ministry of Justice announced in 2022 its plan to relocate the aging existing Gwangju Detention Center. Since then, Buk-gu and residents have maintained their opposition, stating that relocating a detention center near residential areas is inappropriate.
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