Kim Donghoon of Namyangju City Council: "We Must End the Lost 50 Years"
Proposes Sustainable Development Through Formation of Pan-Citizen Movement Headquarters
Kim Donghoon, a member of the Namyangju City Council (representing Byeollae-myeon and Byeollae-dong), delivered a five-minute free speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 314th extraordinary meeting held on September 24, strongly urging the abolition of unreasonable regulations in Namyangju City and the repeal of the Han River Watershed Act.
Namyangju City Council member Kim Donghoon (Byeollae-myeon, Byeollae-dong) urged the "Abolition of Unreasonable Regulations in Namyangju City and the Repeal of the Han River Watershed Act" at the 2nd plenary session of the 314th extraordinary meeting held on the 24th. Provided by Namyangju City Council
In his remarks, Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "For the past 50 years, Namyangju City has sacrificed for the supply of clean water to residents of the Seoul metropolitan area, but the cost has been enormous economic losses, restrictions on property rights, and a decline in the quality of life for citizens." He emphasized that land value losses due to the Paldang water source regulations have reached 217 trillion won, with annual damages amounting to 9.8 trillion won.
He also noted that 75% of the city's total area is subject to overlapping regulations, including development restriction zones, water source protection zones, and military facility protection zones, totaling eight types of restrictions. In particular, he criticized the Han River Watershed Act as an unreasonable law that is harshly applied only to Namyangju citizens, stressing that shifting the responsibility for environmental conservation to a specific region is clearly discriminatory and unfair.
As concrete action plans, Assemblyman Kim proposed the formation of a pan-citizen movement headquarters, the launch of a national petition campaign and public hearings, the establishment of regular consultation channels with the central government and the National Assembly, and solidarity with other regulated regions. He further argued that the irrationality of the Han River Watershed Act should be proven with objective data, and that a new model for environmental conservation should be established in which all regions share responsibility.
Additionally, he called on local members of the National Assembly to propose and advocate for the amendment or repeal of the Han River Watershed Act and to persuade the government. He also urged the central government to conduct a comprehensive review of unreasonable regulations and to make a national-level decision for the development of Namyangju City. He appealed to citizens to actively participate in the pan-citizen movement, including signing petitions and attending public hearings.
Assemblyman Kim stated, "Based on the premise of deregulation, we must proactively establish a comprehensive urban development plan that will allow Namyangju to become a center of education, culture, and the economy," adding, "I will devote all my efforts to making Namyangju a prestigious city in which every citizen can take pride."
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