Gyeongsan City Accelerates Expansion of Regional SOC Amid Urban Regeneration Award Honor
A Region-Specific Pledge Gaining Bipartisan Support from Both Lee Jaemyung and Yoon Suk-yeol
On December 10, Gyeongsan City drew attention as it accelerated its efforts to expand regional large-scale social overhead capital (SOC) infrastructure, aiming to secure long-term growth engines for the region. This was highlighted during the ceremony where the city was honored with the grand prize at the Urban Regeneration event hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
On this day, Gyeongsan Mayor Cho Hyunil took time during his attendance at the "2025 Urban Regeneration Festival" held at Conrad Hotel in Seoul to meet with officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. He strongly emphasized the necessity and urgency of constructing the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway, and requested active support and cooperation from the government.
Mayor Cho specifically outlined the various positive effects that the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway would have on regional development, urging for the swift implementation of the project.
The core necessity for the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway, as emphasized by Mayor Cho to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is focused on securing a key driving force for regional development.
This expressway is currently being promoted to be included in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's "3rd Expressway Construction Plan (2026-2030)." During the 2022 presidential election, Yoon Suk-yeol, the People Power Party candidate, announced the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway as a region-specific pledge. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, also included it in his campaign promises, receiving bipartisan support.
Discussions on this project became concrete when former President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Gyeongsan before his election and received requests from companies located in local industrial complexes. In addition, President Lee Jae-myung, during his 2025 presidential candidacy, announced the "Construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway" as one of his six region-specific pledges for Gyeongsan.
The plan envisions constructing a new four-lane expressway spanning approximately 50 kilometers, from the Jinryang Junction (JCT) in Gyeongsan City to the Buk-eonyang Junction (JCT) in Ulju-gun, Ulsan City. The goal is to reduce the travel distance and time by about 23 kilometers and 16 minutes, respectively, compared to using the existing Gyeongbu Expressway, Shin-Daegu-Busan Expressway, or Miryang-Ulsan Expressway.
This project is expected to play a key role in completing the currently insufficient east-west regional transportation network, promoting balanced national development, and dramatically improving interregional mobility. Furthermore, by significantly enhancing the logistics environment of the Gyeongsan Industrial Complex and surrounding areas, it is anticipated to directly support increased corporate competitiveness and revitalize the local economy.
In particular, the project is expected to greatly improve logistics efficiency between Gyeongsan, a hub for auto parts manufacturing, and Ulsan, a major automobile production base, resulting in annual logistics cost savings of up to 70 billion won. It will also serve as an essential link to strengthen the broader economic and living sphere connections between the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region and the Ulsan area.
Mayor Cho repeatedly emphasized that this expressway is not simply about building a road, but is an essential element for promoting balanced national development and tangible urban growth that citizens can experience.
Mayor Cho Hyunil stated, "Expanding large-scale SOC infrastructure, including the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway, is absolutely necessary for urban development that citizens can truly feel," adding, "We will continue close consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and related agencies to ensure that local long-awaited projects can proceed as quickly as possible."
A Gyeongsan City official said, "Gyeongsan has been recognized for its achievements in improving residential conditions by winning the most prestigious award in the urban regeneration sector this year. Now, we are preparing for a new leap in regional development through the expansion of the regional transportation network."
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