[2025 Audit] Kim Dongyeon: "Goyang City Hall Should Proceed as Originally Planned"

Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has stated that the relocation of Goyang City Hall should proceed as originally planned. He also promised that if the city hall construction site is re-designated as a greenbelt area due to project stagnation next year, he will initiate the process to lift the designation again.

On the 21st, during the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee audit of Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, Governor Kim was questioned by Assemblyman Kim Seonghoe of the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the issue. He explained, "(The relocation of the city hall to the Baekseok Business Building, as proposed by Mayor Lee Donghwan of Goyang City,) was rejected four times during investment reviews because there was insufficient collection of opinions from both the city council and citizens."

He continued, "Goyang City is attempting to push ahead with lawsuits and other actions, but Gyeonggi Province's position is firm. We can only consider the relocation if the opinions of the city council and local residents are genuinely reflected."

He added, "Currently, the city hall site is expected to be reverted to a greenbelt area around mid-May next year. However, if Goyang City proceeds with the construction of the city hall at the designated site, we will promptly initiate the process to lift the greenbelt designation again."

Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is speaking at the National Assembly's audit on Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 21st. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

The controversy over the construction of Goyang City Hall has been an ongoing political and administrative conflict surrounding the relocation and original construction plan since 2023.

At the core of the dispute is the clash between Mayor Lee Donghwan of the People Power Party, who is pushing to relocate the city hall to the Baekseok Business Building, and citizens and the city council, who oppose the move and demand that the city hall be built at the original Jukyo-dong (Wondang) site.

In early 2023, Mayor Lee Donghwan announced the cancellation of the new city hall construction at Jukyo-dong, citing budget savings, and instead proposed relocating the city hall to the Baekseok Business Building. The building, originally intended as a "venture business cluster facility," had been donated by Yojin Development. However, the decision was made without sufficient public discussion, prompting civic groups and the city council to protest what they called "unilateral administration."

Assemblyman Kim Seonghoe stated, "The controversy over the construction of Goyang City Hall is a mirror image of the original plan change for the Yangpyeong Expressway involving the family of Kim Keonhee. It should proceed swiftly according to the original plan."