Suspicion of 'Manipulative Administration' Arises Following 'Favoritism' in Gwangyang City's 'Bonggangbongdong District'

Demolish Prefabricated Buildings Not Meeting Landscape Standards and Hold Public Officials Accountable

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] The ‘Bonggang Bongdang District’ rural housing development project in the Bonggang-myeon area of Gwangyang City is stirring controversy as suspicions of ‘special favors’ are now followed by allegations of ‘cunning administration.’

The ‘Bonggang Bongdang District’ rural housing development project is a joint effort between Gwangyang City and the land development association, with a national subsidy of 840 million KRW and a city subsidy of 360 million KRW invested. Gwangyang City directly carried out the infrastructure construction and handed it over to the association.

According to data provided by Gwangyang City, the purchase cost of the rural village development land for the 21 land association members was 180 million KRW, but after Gwangyang City invested 1.2 billion KRW in subsidies to complete the infrastructure construction, the current market price exceeds 4 billion KRW, raising the land price by about 22 times.

Even after Asia Economy’s report (June 16, 2020) that Gwangyang City gave enormous ‘special favors’ to the 21 association members using taxpayers’ money, suspicions of ‘special favors’ have resurfaced, followed by allegations of ‘cunning administration.’

During the reporting process, Asia Economy pointed out that the 40㎡ prefabricated panel building found did not align with the original intent of the rural village development, but a Gwangyang City official responded that there were no particular regulations and said, “It doesn’t matter.”

The ‘Bonggang Bongdang District’ rural village development project, according to the basic plan for village maintenance and redevelopment (rural village development) prepared by Gwangyang City and the Bonggang Bongdang District Promotion Committee from 2009 to February 2010, sets standards for rural village landscape creation regarding building structure, scale and layout, form, or exterior walls and roofs.

The building structure is to be environmentally friendly with materials and forms that harmonize well with the surrounding landscape and save energy. Walls should use eco-friendly materials that promote energy savings through external insulation, and roofs are required to be sloped roofs, prohibiting flat roofs (slabs). Although these general guidelines are specified, Gwangyang City approved the completion of a 40㎡ prefabricated building.

In the ‘Bonggang Bongdang District,’ bare land ownership cannot be sold. The fact that Gwangyang City approved the 40㎡ prefabricated panel building as a general building raises suspicions that it is trying to assist the landowners in selling their land.

Unless there is a special reason to build a prefabricated building of only 40㎡ on a scenic rural housing site, it is difficult for Gwangyang City to escape allegations that it is helping landowners through ‘cunning administration.’ Furthermore, Gwangyang City appears to need to cancel the approval of the prefabricated building that violates the landscape creation standards and hold the responsible officials accountable.

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