Gangjin-gun Breaks Ground on Main Artery Connecting Divided Living Areas

Exterior view of Gangjin County Office (Photo by Gangjin County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 19th that it has officially started construction of the Kkachinaejae Tunnel, a long-awaited project for residents of the northern three myeon (Jakcheon-myeon, Byeongyeong-myeon, Omcheon-myeon) areas.

The establishment of the Kkachinaejae Tunnel faced many twists and turns before construction began. The project was confirmed in 2009, and after the completion of the detailed design in 2012, construction was planned to start. However, the Board of Audit and Inspection raised concerns about the economic feasibility of the project, causing a long delay.

However, with the launch of the 7th local government administration, County Governor Lee Seung-ok made the Kkachinaejae Tunnel construction a campaign pledge and continuously visited the governor and related agencies to explain the project's feasibility. As a result, securing 2.5 billion KRW for land compensation last year gave momentum to the project.

Jeollanam-do completed the supplementary detailed design and feasibility review service in December last year, and after technical review and contract examination, selected the construction company last month and started the project on the 7th.

The Kkachinaejae Tunnel, spanning L=3.3 km (tunnel 0.94 km, access road 2.36 km) from Pasan-ri, Gundo-myeon to Samdang-ri, Jakcheon-myeon, is being developed with a total budget of 60.6 billion KRW (4.3 billion KRW for supervision, 53.8 billion KRW for construction, 2.5 billion KRW for compensation, etc.), fully funded by national and provincial government funds without any county expenses.

This year, 134 million KRW will be invested to install the site office, and the project will be actively promoted from next year, aiming for completion and opening in December 2025.

Governor Lee Seung-ok said, “Once the Kkachinaejae Tunnel is completed, it will greatly contribute not only to the northern three myeon but also to the development of the southern Kkachinaejae area including Gangjin-eup, becoming a major artery that revitalizes the entire Gangjin-gun.” He added, “We will closely cooperate with Jeollanam-do to ensure the project is completed early without causing inconvenience to residents.”

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