Yongin City Files Main Lawsuit to Ban Use of Gwanggyo New Town Development Profits for Gwanggyo Mountain Transmission Tower Relocation

Filed at Suwon District Court Against GH
Mayor Lee: "Legal Action to Protect Citizens' Rights and Interests"

The city of Yongin in Gyeonggi Province has filed a main lawsuit against Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH), demanding a ban on the use of Gwanggyo New Town development profits for the relocation of transmission towers on Gwanggyo Mountain.

Despite the damage suffered by residents of Seongbok-dong in Suji-gu due to the relocation of the towers, and the recommendation for consultation made by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Suwon City pushed ahead with the project without consultation with Yongin City. In response, Yongin has taken strong legal action.

This lawsuit follows a provisional injunction filed by the city on May 12 at the Suwon District Court, which pointed out the issue of the relocation of the transmission towers by Suwon City. The injunction requested that GH be prohibited from using 'Gwanggyo New Town development profits' for this construction project.

The Gwanggyo Mountain transmission tower relocation project involves dismantling three 154kV transmission lines near Haemoro Apartments in Iui-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, and constructing two new towers to relocate them near Seongbok-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin. Approximately 4 billion KRW of Gwanggyo New Town development profits are being invested in the project.

The conflict between local governments over the relocation of the transmission towers began in 2010 when residents of Haemoro Apartments in Iui-dong, Suwon, filed a civil complaint requesting the nearby towers be moved. Residents of Seongbok-dong, near the planned relocation site, have opposed the project, arguing that it would severely infringe upon their right to a view.

As the conflict continued, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in November 2021 recommended that "Korea Electric Power Corporation should carry out the transmission tower relocation work after resolving Yongin City's civil complaints." However, in March this year, GH changed the project operator for the relocation of the transmission towers to Suwon City, and Suwon City is proceeding with the relocation project without consultation with Yongin City.

Lee Sangil, Mayor of Yongin, stated, "Suwon City's attempt to relocate the transmission towers using 'Gwanggyo New Town development profits,' while ignoring the recommendation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the concerns of Yongin citizens, is a violation of the 'Gwanggyo New Town Joint Project Implementation Agreement' and an irresponsible act that harms citizens of neighboring cities." He added, "Since Suwon City is pushing ahead with the relocation without the necessary consultation with Yongin City, which is their obvious duty, we have no choice but to respond through legal means."