Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol Demands Ministry of Land to Explain Omission of Public Consultation in Gyeongjeon Line Electrification Project

Opinion Gathering Must Be Conducted First as Requested by Suncheon City and Suncheon City Council

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Recently, an issue arose regarding the omission of the opinion-gathering process of Suncheon City in the Gyeongjeon Line electrification project. On the 10th, Democratic Party lawmaker So Byeong-cheol (Suncheon-Gwangyang-Gokseong-Gurye Gap, Judiciary Committee) announced that he demanded an explanation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport about the circumstances.

The Gyeongjeon Line electrification project aims to electrify the Gwangju~Suncheon section, which has not been upgraded even once in over 80 years, reducing travel time between Gwangju and Busan to around two hours, thereby revitalizing exchanges between Yeongnam and Honam regions and promoting mutual growth.

However, during the preliminary feasibility re-investigation process, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was criticized for not properly reflecting the opinions of Suncheon citizens regarding the project plan that utilizes the existing route passing through downtown Suncheon as is.

In response, on the 10th, Lawmaker So urgently met with Son Myung-soo, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

First, Lawmaker So demanded that the Ministry clearly explain the circumstances under which the project plan, which passes through the downtown ground section causing concerns about noise, dust, and deterioration of living environment as well as increased accident risks, was approved while omitting prior administrative procedures such as gathering citizens’ opinions.

Additionally, he conveyed the Ministry’s recommendations submitted through consultations between Suncheon City Council and Suncheon City: ▲ Suncheon City plans to urgently conduct a study to derive the optimal project plan ▲ The most appropriate plan will be proposed to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport based on the study results ▲ If necessary, the basic plan study period should be extended until Suncheon City derives the optimal plan ▲ The optimal plan from Suncheon City’s study should be reflected in the basic plan. He urged the Ministry to suspend the project until these demands of Suncheon citizens are fulfilled.

Vice Minister Son responded to Lawmaker So’s demands by saying, “At the residents’ briefing session on the 16th, we will explain in detail the progress made according to the procedures so far and prepare to respond to the received recommendations.”

Lawmaker So stated, “We must prioritize improving citizens’ quality of life and the development of Suncheon’s economy,” and added, “I will continue to vigorously represent the voices of Suncheon citizens so that the Gyeongjeon Line electrification project, which should continue the development of not only Suncheon but also Yeongnam and Honam regions, can proceed in a way welcomed by the citizens.”

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