Chairman Shin Sujeong of Gwangju City Council Criticizes Government Budget Cut for Honam Expressway Expansion

Call for Improvements to the Bus Quasi-Public Operation System That Is Deepening Fiscal Deficits
City Says, "Expressway Project Decision Unavoidable Due to Financial Burden"

Shin Sujeong, chairman of the Gwangju City Council, criticized the complacent administration of Gwangju City regarding the government's supplementary budget cut for the Honam Expressway Donggwangju-Gwangsan Interchange expansion project during the opening speech of the 333rd extraordinary session held on the 23rd. He then urged active measures to address the bus quasi-public operation system, which is increasing the city's financial deficit. Provided by Gwangju City Council

Shin Sujeong, chairman of the Gwangju City Council, called for active measures regarding the budget cut for the Honam Expressway expansion project and the bus quasi-public operation system during the opening speech of the 333rd extraordinary session held on the 23rd.

Chairman Shin strongly criticized the irresponsible and complacent administration of Gwangju City in relation to the complete budget cut for the Honam Expressway expansion project. He pointed out, "The entire 36.7 billion won in government funding for the Honam Expressway expansion was cut because Gwangju City failed to execute even a few billion won, which was interpreted as a lack of commitment to the project. As a result, the long-cherished wish of citizens for the expansion of the Honam Expressway is now at risk of being scrapped."

He continued, "The traffic nightmare from Donggwangju Interchange to Gwangsan Interchange during rush hour has already reached a critical point. It is unacceptable that this project, which was also a presidential campaign pledge of President Lee Jaemyung, is being derailed due to the incompetence and indifference of the local government. Gwangju City must no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering of its citizens. Even now, the city should publicly declare its commitment to the project and take concrete actions."

Regarding the recent agreement between city bus labor and management, Shin stated, "I welcome the dramatic conclusion of the wage and collective bargaining agreement. From now on, a systematic review of the entire quasi-public operation system is necessary. Excessive financial burdens must be reduced, and the bus quasi-public operation system should truly become a public good for the citizens."

On the first supplementary budget proposal, he said, "During the last regular session, the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts of the City Council recommended refraining from issuing local bonds in relation to this supplementary budget. At a time when citizens are tightening their belts, public funds must be allocated only to essential areas to prevent wasteful spending."

Chairman Shin added, "With one year left in the terms of the 8th popularly elected administration and the 9th City Council, we will work closely together so that municipal administration and the council can bring about real changes in citizens' lives. Let us complete the Gwangju of tomorrow through balanced checks and cooperation."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Gwangju City issued a statement regarding the "promotion of the Honam Expressway project," explaining, "The total project cost for the Honam Expressway expansion is about 800 billion won, of which Gwangju City's share is around 400 billion won. To push this forward, it is inevitable that the city will need to issue local bonds worth about 100 billion won annually for the next five years."

The city stated, "Accordingly, we are carefully reviewing the project start date and funding methods, prioritizing the interests of citizens and fiscal soundness. The already allocated national budget was deemed impossible to execute due to delays in project commencement, and the reduction in the government's supplementary budget was an unavoidable decision considering the city's financial situation and the burden on citizens as a whole."

The city added, "Going forward, we will continue to ensure accountability and efficiency in fiscal management from the citizens' perspective and pursue policies that align with the long-term interests of our citizens."