On December 17, at the National Assembly's main building small conference room, Gyeongsan City officially submitted a petition for the inclusion of the new Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway in the national plan. The event was attended by Gyeongsan Mayor Cho Hyunil, Gyeongbuk Province Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs Kim Hak-hong, Ulsan City Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs Ahn Hyodae, National Assembly members Cho Jiyeon and Kwon Youngjin, as well as about 20 officials from related local governments and the National Assembly. The city delivered a petition signed by citizens and a joint declaration from the heads of the three local governments to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
On this day, Gyeongsan City presented a petition with 160,123 signatures urging the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway, along with a joint declaration agreed upon by Gyeongbuk Province, Ulsan City, and Gyeongsan City. The city also requested Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-duk to recognize the project's necessity and include it in the Third Expressway Construction Plan.
National Assembly member Kwon Youngjin also attended the event and expressed his support.
The Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway is expected to serve as a key transportation axis directly linking the Yeongnam inland region with the southeastern industrial zone. By shortening travel distances and improving logistics efficiency, it is anticipated to strengthen industrial connectivity between regions and contribute to the formation of a mega-regional economic zone.
In particular, by directly connecting Gyeongsan, a hub for the auto parts industry, with Ulsan, the center of the finished automobile industry, the expressway is expected to provide a foundation for addressing logistics inefficiencies caused by the current detour and stopover routes.
Throughout this process, Gyeongsan City has worked closely with National Assembly member Cho Jiyeon, fostered cooperation among relevant local governments, engaged in policy discussions with central government agencies, and promoted public debate at the National Assembly level to ensure ongoing dialogue about the necessity of the project.
The submission of the petition, which saw broad participation from citizens, businesses, workers, and small business owners, officially confirms the region's consensus and level of social agreement regarding the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway.
Gyeongsan City has proactively completed preliminary feasibility studies and basic planning tasks in consultation with related local governments. The city has also conducted route alternative reviews, traffic and logistics demand analyses, and consistency checks with higher-level national plans in a step-by-step manner.
Furthermore, through a citywide petition campaign and joint proposal procedures, Gyeongsan City has completed all administrative and social preparations necessary for policy review, establishing a foundation to respond promptly to any follow-up procedures required by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's review process.
Mayor Cho Hyunil stated, "The Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway is a matter of local survival, as it determines the future of regional industry, jobs, and the sustainability of our city. The participation of 160,000 citizens in the petition clearly shows that now is the time for a policy decision on this issue. We will closely coordinate with local National Assembly members and relevant agencies to ensure that the earnest wishes of our citizens are fully reflected in the Ministry's policy review process."
Assemblywoman Cho Jiyeon remarked, "The construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway is not just an expansion of the transportation network, but a core infrastructure for logistics innovation in the Yeongnam region and a strategic alternative that will reshape the future industrial landscape."
She added, "The rapid achievement of 160,000 signatures is clear evidence of how deeply citizens desire this project. I strongly urge that the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway be actively considered for inclusion in the Third Expressway Construction Plan."
Meanwhile, policy discussions at the National Assembly level regarding the construction of the Gyeongsan-Ulsan Expressway have been ongoing. Assemblywoman Cho Jiyeon, Kim Kihyun, head of the Gyeongsan City District Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, and other stakeholders have shared the necessity of the project through various forums, including public hearings.
On December 16, a joint declaration by the governors of North Gyeongsang Province and Ulsan City was adopted, marking further progress in the discussions.
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