Civic Group: "National Railroad Network Plan Reflecting Only One Honam Region, Political Circles Must Wake Up"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Civic groups in Gwangju and Jeonnam have jointly criticized the ruling party and local politicians for mostly excluding the Honam region's metropolitan railway network from the recently announced 4th National Railroad Network Plan by the government.

The Gwangju Citizens' Group Council and the Jeonnam Citizens' Group Solidarity issued a statement on the 26th, saying, "The Democratic Party of Korea and local politicians, who regard the region only as their political stronghold and neglect the development of Gwangju and Jeonnam, must awaken."

They pointed out, "Most of the routes requested by the Gwangju-Jeonnam region were not even selected as secondary review routes. Only one section of the 27.6km Gwangju-Naju metropolitan railway was reflected," adding, "Behind this poor result lies the Democratic Party's complacent and irresponsible response, which regards the Gwangju-Jeonnam region merely as the current administration's political base, and they cannot avoid taking responsibility for this."

They further stated, "The Gwangju-Suncheon section of the Gyeongjeon Line, which was included in the 3rd National Railroad Network Plan five years ago, was actually greatly supported by the systematic and active political activities of 'People's Party' lawmakers based in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region at that time," and urged, "The Democratic Party and local politicians must make their best efforts to ensure that the Gwangju-Daegu Dalbit Inland Railway, a symbolic route for Yeongnam-Jeolla cooperation, is included before the final confirmation of the 4th National Railroad Network Plan in June this year."

Meanwhile, the draft of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan (2021?2030), announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 22nd, excluded the Gwangju-Daegu Dalbit Inland Railway project, one of President Moon Jae-in's pledges for Yeongnam-Jeolla cooperation and a national agenda item, citing low economic feasibility.

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