Five-Minute Free Speech:
Suggestions for the Utilization of 'Gwangcheon-dong Citizens’ Apartment' and More
Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member Lim Seonghwa (representing Gwangcheon-dong, Yudeok-dong, Chipyeong-dong, Sangmu 1-dong, and Dongcheon-dong) made a 'five-minute free speech' at the 1st plenary session of the 331st regular session on June 16, where she made suggestions on three major issues: ▲ safety measures and expansion of the Deokheung-dong park golf course, ▲ preservation and active utilization of the Gwangcheon-dong Citizens’ Apartment, and ▲ inspection and improvement of city bus stop facilities.
Lim stated, "Thanks to your interest and proactive administration, the Deokheung Park Golf Course has been expanded to an 18-hole facility, providing citizens with a more pleasant space," and added, "However, due to its overlap with the soccer and baseball fields, it is necessary to prepare for potential safety accidents and to ensure economic sustainability for continued operation."
Accordingly, she requested an active review of relocating the existing baseball and soccer fields to alternative sites and expanding and developing the current park golf course into a facility with at least 36 holes.
Regarding the decision to preserve the Gwangcheon-dong Citizens’ Apartment, a symbolic site of the 5·18 Democratization Movement, she emphasized, "As the birthplace of democracy in Gwangju and the backdrop for historic events such as Deulbul Night School and the Struggle Society Bulletin, the Citizens’ Apartment must become a living venue for education on democratic values, going beyond mere commemoration of the past."
She urged that, since preservation has been decided through administrative efforts, a systematic working-level consultative body should be operated to actively and concretely plan for both preservation and utilization.
She also called for inspections and improvements of city bus stop facilities in preparation for heat waves. Lim pointed out, "According to data from the Korea Meteorological Administration, bus stops are the hottest places during summer," and noted, "Not only are there many uncovered bus stops, but at bus stops where large numbers of people gather, it is difficult to avoid sunlight and heavy rain."
She mentioned that there are only two smart bus stops in Seo-gu, while Gwangmyeong City established a 'comprehensive plan for smart bus stop construction' last year.
She went on to stress, "As Seo-gu is both a transportation hub and a city of admiration, we must also take care of these issues," and emphasized, "Everyone should always be able to use public transportation safely and conveniently."
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