Kim Seong-chan, Deputy Chair of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, Demands Measures for Hampyeong Station Relocation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Seongchan, Vice Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea Central Party, who is preparing to run for the by-election for the mayor of Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, held a one-person protest demanding measures related to Hampyeong Station and issued a statement on the 15th.

On the same day, a resident briefing session on the environmental impact assessment for the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway was held at Hampyeong County Office.

Vice Chairman Kim stated, “Among the basic local governments in Honam through which the Honam High-Speed Railway passes (Iksan, Gimje, Jeongeup, Jangseong, Songjeong, Naju, Hampyeong, Muan, Mokpo), Hampyeong has not requested a stop so far out of sacrifice and concession for the grand success of this national project,” and added, “Nevertheless, the current plan, which even removes the basis for a stop, goes beyond regional discrimination and thoroughly ignores the residents of Hampyeong-gun.”

He continued, “Although KTX does not usually stop, it stops during the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival period (4 times a day), which has been a consolation for the local residents,” and pointed out, “Moreover, preparations are underway for the 2023 international event, the Hampyeong World Expo, raising concerns about significant disruptions to its success.”

He then said, “We will continue the protest together with the residents until the plan is completely revised and countermeasures are prepared,” and “To urge the prompt resolution of this issue, I propose a relay hunger strike in front of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by the prospective candidates for the Hampyeong-gun mayoral election.”

Meanwhile, the second phase of the Honam High-Speed Railway project (from Naju Gomagwon Station to Mokpo Imseong-ri Station) is scheduled to begin land compensation in the second half of this year with a total project cost of 2.287 trillion won, aiming for completion in 2025.

The section from Gwangju Songjeong to Naju Gomagwon Station has completed the existing line high-speed upgrade project, and a new high-speed line will be constructed from Naju Gomagwon Station passing through Hampyeong to Mokpo Imseong-ri Station.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.