Bukgu Park Golf Course in Gwangju Flooded... "Alternative Sites Must Be Considered"

Son Hyejin Points Out Waste of Taxpayer Money and Safety Risks
Over 1.1 Billion Won in Damages to Facilities from Heavy Rainfall in July and August
Park Golf Courses in Parks Should Operate Without Damage
Calls for Flood Countermeasures and Relocation of Bukgu District Office Daycare Center

Son Hyejin, a member of the Gwangju Bukgu Council (representing Yongbong, Maegok, Ilgok, and Samgak-dong, Progressive Party), raised concerns about the recurring flooding of the riverside park golf course and the damage to the Bukgu District Office daycare center. She argued, "Fundamental measures and consideration of alternative sites are necessary to prevent the waste of taxpayers' money and ensure the safety of residents."

Son Hyejin, member of Gwangju Bukgu Council.

During the '5-Minute Free Speech' at the 1st plenary session of the 304th extraordinary meeting held on August 28, Son pointed out issues with the Bukgu park golf course, which was built on the Yeongsangang riverside. She stated that due to heavy rainfall in July and August, 60% to 70% of the golf course was covered with soil and gravel, resulting in 587 million won in facility losses and a restoration budget of 591 million won. She emphasized, "A facility built with 1.3 billion won has suffered more than 1.1 billion won in damages."

She criticized that although she had already requested a site review due to flood risks at the May 2023 extraordinary meeting, the groundbreaking ceremony was pushed through in October even after the site was flooded by heavy rain in June of the same year. She also pointed out that while the Deokheung Park Golf Course in Seo-gu suffered damages amounting to 550 million won, the Cheomdan Daesang Park Golf Course and Hyoryeong Park Golf Course, both located within parks, sustained no damage. "It has been proven that park sites are safer and more economical," she noted.

Regarding Mayor Moon In's recent request to reconsider Gwangju City's 'Yeongsangang Exciting Zone' project due to flood risks, Son criticized, "It is hypocritical to oppose the city project on the grounds of flood risk, while the riverside park golf course and drone practice field he promoted have repeatedly suffered from flooding and restoration."

Son also mentioned the flooding of the Bukgu District Office daycare center. Due to the recent heavy rainfall, more than 60 children had to be evacuated urgently, and it took five months to restore the facility, meaning temporary childcare facilities will be needed until January next year. She stressed, "This location suffered similar damage in 2020," and urged, "Flood prevention measures must be thoroughly included in the restoration process, and in the long term, the facility should be relocated to a safer location."

Son stated, "Given the climate crisis and the likelihood of extreme rainfall recurring every year, a long-term plan is needed rather than makeshift solutions," and added, "We must create a permanently safe city against natural disasters where Bukgu residents can feel secure."

In response, a district official explained, "Due to financial constraints and the difficulty of securing large sites, we inevitably utilized the riverside land. Going forward, we will consider alternative sites with lower flood risk, such as urban parks, over the long term to enhance the safety of these facilities." The official added, "We will promptly restore the flooded Bukgu District Office daycare center, reinforce disaster prevention facilities such as flood barriers, and carefully consider relocation if necessary."