Choi Sanggi: "Transforming Inje's Economic Structure with KTX, Compact City, and Garden City"

by Lee jonggu

Published 12 May.2026 18:58(KST)

Choi Sanggi, Preliminary Candidate for Inje County Governor, Announces Main Campaign Pledges

"KTX Era Preparation Is Complete... The Three Pillars of Inje's Future Are in Place"

A Vision for Inje's Future: KTX, Compact City, and Garden City

"Creating a Compact City for 30,000 Residents Linking Inje-eup, Deoksan, and Wontong"

Choi Sanggi, a preliminary candidate for Inje County Governor in Gangwon Province from the Democratic Party, unveiled his main campaign pledges centered on the KTX, Compact City, and Garden City, declaring, "I will fundamentally transform the structure of Inje's economy."

Choi Sangki, a candidate for Inje mayor, is holding a policy press conference at the campaign office on the morning of the 12th. Provided by candidate Choi Sangki

On the morning of the 12th, at a policy press conference held at his election office, Choi emphasized, "KTX, Compact City, and Garden City Inje are not separate initiatives, but a strategy where all three pillars are interconnected in a single vision," adding, "All three must work together simultaneously for the future economy of Inje to be realized."

The first of the core pledges announced that day is the KTX-linked development strategy.

Choi pointed out, "Although the opening of the KTX has been postponed to the first half of 2029, the areas that Inje County can control are not the KTX itself, but ensuring that Inje is fully prepared when the KTX arrives," adding, "That preparation is already well underway and progressing according to schedule."

He further explained, "Currently, approximately 1 trillion won is being invested in Inje-related projects, such as the construction of KTX Inje-Wontong Station and Baekdam Station, as well as 39 station-area development projects," and stated, "These projects have already entered the implementation phase."

The second core pledge is the creation of a 'Compact City.'

Choi stated, "When people come in via the KTX, we need an urban infrastructure where they can stay," adding, "By connecting Inje-eup, Deoksan, and Wontong into a single living zone, I will build a Compact City with a resident population of 30,000, and make this city the driving engine for all six towns and townships in the county."

The third pledge is the 'Garden City Inje' project.

Choi said, "Whereas Suncheon created gardens through an expo, in Inje, nature itself is the garden," adding, "We will establish a stay-type tourism belt connecting Baekdamsa Temple, the birch forest, Soyang Lake, and Jindong Valley."

Policy image of preliminary candidate Choi Sang-ki. Provided by preliminary candidate Choi Sang-ki

He also remarked, "Up to now, tourism in Inje has been transient, but Garden City Inje aims for multi-day, immersive tourism." Notably, he stressed, "Until private premium accommodations are introduced, we will first establish a lodging network by linking Inje's existing resources such as the birch forest, Bangtaesan, and Misan recreation forests," and added, "The time visitors spend staying directly translates to residents' income, and only when KTX, Compact City, and Garden City initiatives are pursued in tandem can we truly transform the structure of Inje's economy."

Choi reiterated, "All the projects under my main pledges have already commenced. These are not at the planning stage, but are now in progress," and added, "Projects like these can only be completed if the central government, Gangwon Province, and Inje County move in the same direction, consistently from start to finish."