"Kang Gijeong Fulfills Promise as Mayor: Opening of Urban Railway Line 2 Phase 1 Road"

Deadline Arrives After July Hearing Pledge: "Will Step Down if Not Completed"
Traffic Resumes on Sections 1 to 6; Mayor Kang to Inspect Sites
Support Measures for Small Businesses Along Construction Route, Including Additional Win-Win Card Reimbursements

The upper road section of the first phase of Gwangju Urban Railway Line 2, for which a completion deadline had not been set, will open on December 22. Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, is scheduled to tour the site that day to inspect the road opening.

According to the Gwangju City Government, road paving that had been restricted due to the construction of the first phase of Urban Railway Line 2 will be completed on this day, and traffic on the upper road will resume. Mayor Kang plans to receive a progress report at the Citizens' Hall of City Hall in the morning, and then sequentially inspect the open sections from Section 1 to Section 6 (Gwangju Station segment).

Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, is speaking on the morning of the 22nd at the Citizens' Hall of Gwangju City Hall regarding the opening of the first phase of Line 2 of the urban railway. Photo by Song Bohyun

In his remarks, Mayor Kang stated, "Today is the day we fulfill our promise to complete the opening of the road for the first phase of Urban Railway Line 2," and expressed his gratitude to the citizens who have waited for so long. He added, "I apologize to the citizens who had to endure bumpy roads, traffic congestion, and vehicle damage, as well as to the small business owners who faced difficulties operating their businesses amid noise, dust, and vibrations."

This road opening has drawn attention in connection with Mayor Kang's previous public statements. At a public hearing on taxi fare adjustments held at the Gwangju Transportation Culture Training Center in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on July 22, Mayor Kang remarked, "Complaints about inconvenience caused by traffic restrictions on the upper road due to the first phase of Urban Railway Line 2 construction have been continuously raised," and pledged, "If road paving is not completed by December 22, I will step down as mayor."

Mayor Kang said, "Thanks to the construction company officials and on-site workers who continued the work despite unexpected obstacles and heavy summer rains, the police who cooperated with traffic control, and the public officials who watched over the site day and night, we were able to open the road without any major safety accidents." He also stated, "Because it was necessary to finish the construction before the height of winter to prevent even greater inconvenience, the burden on the site and the inconvenience to citizens were significant toward the end of the project," and once again thanked the citizens for their patience during this period.

Mayor Kang also outlined support measures for small business owners located near the construction section in conjunction with the road opening. Gwangju City plans to apply an additional 10% reimbursement rate for the Win-Win Card, on top of the existing 10%, for two months in January and February next year, targeting small business owners in 23 administrative districts along the first phase construction section of Urban Railway Line 2. All Gwangju citizens who use the Win-Win Card in the area will be eligible.

In addition, a total of 200 billion won in special guarantees will be provided next year, with 50 billion won allocated specifically to small business owners in the 23 districts along the first phase construction section. The city will also support wage subsidies for 100 new hires and offer tailored recovery counseling and consulting services.

To promote local business consumption, the city will suspend operations of the City Hall cafeteria during lunchtime on this day, and all employees will be encouraged to dine at restaurants near the first phase route of Urban Railway Line 2.

Mayor Kang stated, "Subway construction is a stage in building infrastructure for a safer and more pleasant city," and pledged, "We will ensure that the remaining construction is completed on time and safely."