Northwestern Gyeonggi Lawmakers Meet with Health Minister: "Making Ilsan Bridge Toll-Free Is Essential"

Kim Jooyoung, Han Junho, and Park Sanghyuk Meet with Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong
Discussing Plans to Make the Ilsan Bridge Toll-Free

Northwestern Gyeonggi National Assembly members announced on the 22nd that they met with Jeong Eun-kyeong, Minister of Health and Welfare, to discuss plans to make the Ilsan Bridge toll-free.

Northwestern Gyeonggi lawmakers met with Jeong Eun-kyeong, Minister of Health and Welfare, on the 22nd to discuss plans to make the Ilsan Bridge toll-free. Photo by Junho Han's office

The Ilsan Bridge is the only toll bridge over the Han River, charging a fee of 1,200 won for its 2-kilometer span. When President Lee Jaemyung served as Governor of Gyeonggi Province, he attempted to make the bridge toll-free through a public interest measure, but the effort was ultimately thwarted after Gyeonggi Province lost a cancellation lawsuit filed by Ilsan Bridge Co., Ltd.

Following a press conference on the 18th, where Northwestern Gyeonggi National Assembly members called on the government to share the full cost of making the Ilsan Bridge toll-free, they urged the National Pension Service, the sole shareholder of Ilsan Bridge Co., Ltd., to actively engage in negotiations to purchase the bridge and eliminate the tolls.

Assemblyman Kim Jooyoung emphasized the need to make the bridge toll-free, stating, "For the past 17 years, residents of northwestern Gyeonggi have endured the unreasonable discrimination of paying a toll every day." Assemblyman Han Junho said, "Guaranteeing the public's fundamental right to transportation is necessary through making the Ilsan Bridge toll-free." Assemblyman Park Sanghyuk added, "We will also work with Gyeonggi Province and other local governments to find solutions."

Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong responded that she would review the matter and continue discussions.

Meanwhile, it is known that Assemblymen Park Jeong, Yoon Hoodeok, Kim Younghwan, Lee Kiheon, and Kim Seonghoe from northwestern Gyeonggi, who were unable to attend the meeting, also support making the Ilsan Bridge toll-free.