Pohang Residents Stirred by Budget Cut
Strong Backlash from Political Circles
Regarding the complete cut of the budget for the Yeongilman Bridge construction in the 2025 Second Supplementary Budget Proposal by the Lee Jaemyung administration, People Power Party lawmakers Kim Jeongjae and Lee Sanghui strongly protested in a joint statement issued on the 24th.
People Power Party lawmakers Kim Jeongjae (center) and Lee Sanghui are issuing a joint statement on the 24th.
According to the statement, it was confirmed that out of the 204.3 billion won budget for the Pohang-Yeongdeok Expressway included in the government's 2025 second supplementary budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly, the entire 182.1 billion won for the Yeongilman Bridge section (126 billion won for construction costs and 56.1 billion won for compensation) was cut.
The reason for the cut was cited as the "possibility of unused funds," but the two lawmakers criticized this, stating, "Since the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is currently conducting inter-ministerial consultations to select the optimal route, the project could begin within the year if the government is willing." They added, "Cutting the budget due to the possibility of unused funds even before the first half of the project is completed reveals the government's lack of commitment."
The statement also pointed out, "The long-awaited Gadeokdo New Airport project for the Busan and Yeongnam regions also saw a cut of 522.4 billion won in construction costs for the same reason," and argued, "The cut budget being converted into nationwide livelihood support payments is nothing more than 'pocket money for the people' to celebrate the presidential election victory, sacrificing long-standing regional projects."
They further emphasized, "The Yeongilman Bridge is a clear national project that was included in the Fifth National Territorial Comprehensive Plan in 2019 during the Moon Jaein administration and was later incorporated into the expressway construction plan," adding, "The government simply needs to follow through with the plans it has established itself."
Kim and Lee warned, "The pledge to 'actively promote the Yeongilman Trans-Bridge' made by then-candidate Lee Jaemyung during the presidential campaign was changed to 'actively withdraw' just 20 days after his election," and stressed, "The Lee Jaemyung administration must not break the promises made to the people."
The two lawmakers stated, "Now is the time to consider what the people want, rather than what the president wants to do," and strongly urged the government to fully restore the Yeongilman Bridge budget during the National Assembly's budget review process and to take a forward-looking stance."
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