Gwangju Kyungsilryeon "No Land Use Change for Jeonbang and Ilsin Textile Sites"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Economic Justice Practice Citizens' Coalition demanded that the land of the Jeonbang and Ilsin Textile factories should not be rezoned unless public interest is guaranteed.

On the 12th, Gwangju Kyungsilryeon stated in a press release, "Recently, the Gwangju factory sites of Jeonbang (formerly Jeonnam Textile) and Ilsin Textile were sold to a real estate development company," adding, "Since August last year, discussions have been ongoing between Gwangju City and Jeonbang and Ilsin Textile regarding the relocation of the factories and development methods, but the land was sold during this process, causing significant concern in the local community."

They said, "It is difficult to understand that Gwangju City was not aware of the sale process in advance," and added, "Originally, Jeonbang and Ilsin Textile had plans to develop this land into hotels and office facilities, mixed-use residential and commercial complexes, knowledge industry centers, shopping complexes, and public facilities, and were in consultation with Gwangju Metropolitan City."

They continued, "However, the land was sold, and now the real estate development company that acquired the land is highly likely to use all means to rezone this currently industrial area into residential or commercial zones and focus mainly on building apartments and commercial facilities," expressing concern.

The organization explained, "Mayor Lee Yong-seop emphasized at the executive meeting on the 28th of last month that 'the Jeonbang and Ilsin Textile factory sites hold historical and cultural assets related to exploitation during the Japanese colonial period and industrialization, making their preservation highly valuable and crucial for urban development.' The mayor also said, 'Relevant departments should prepare development plans that include public interest values contributing to the preservation of historical and cultural assets and dignified urban development, regardless of changes in ownership of the sites, following the procedures and regulations stipulated by related laws.'"

Gwangju Kyungsilryeon emphasized, "As the mayor stressed, the two factory sites have historical significance and location value that can play a major role in urban development," and added, "Therefore, Gwangju City and the Gwangju City Urban Planning Committee must never allow rezoning of the two factory sites sold to the real estate development company, where indiscriminate development is feared, unless public interest is guaranteed."

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