Kim Tae-jin, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, "Budlemaeul Multipurpose Cultural Center Must Be Properly Built"

Published 25 Apr.2022 11:39(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] As the construction of the 'Beodeulmaeul Multipurpose Cultural Center' in Yudeok-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju is underway, Seo-gu Councilor Kim Tae-jin argued that “to meet the cultural needs of local residents and alleviate the severe parking shortage, the center should be built from basement level 1 to the 3rd floor above ground instead of the originally planned 3 floors above ground.”

On the 20th, during the 2nd plenary session of the 303rd extraordinary meeting, Gwangju Seo-gu Councilor Kim Tae-jin stated, “If the Beodeulmaeul Multipurpose Cultural Center is constructed as originally planned with 3 floors above ground, the cultural program rooms will be cramped and the parking shortage will worsen,” adding, “We must thoroughly prepare for the city’s local finance investment review in August to change the plan to basement level 1 through the 3rd floor above ground.”

Additionally, Councilor Kim insisted, “To establish a diverse cultural complex space for residents, it is urgent to secure at least 1.5 billion KRW in additional budget.”

The Yudeok-dong 'Beodeulmaeul Multipurpose Cultural Center' was selected for the ‘Living SOC Complex Project,’ and it was decided to build a new structure rather than remodeling the existing Yudeok-dong Post Office building.

However, during the ‘Living SOC Complex Project’ public contest, essential facilities such as a health education room, counseling room, and office were required, which put the previously long-awaited cultural program spaces for residents at risk of being reduced.

In response, Councilor Kim stated, “A basement level 1 should be constructed to provide 10 parking spaces and cultural program rooms,” and noted, “The currently secured budget is a total of 6 billion KRW, which is at least 1.5 billion KRW short.”

He further argued, “It is impossible to cover the entire shortfall of at least 1.5 billion KRW solely with Seo-gu Office’s finances due to poor financial conditions,” and emphasized, “We must actively pursue securing special city grants to avoid excessive local government spending.”

Resident Ryu Young-mi, who has shown great interest in the construction of the Beodeulmaeul Multipurpose Cultural Center, also requested, “Please ensure that facilities such as unmanned civil service issuance machines and parcel delivery services can be included along with the expansion of cultural program rooms.”

Meanwhile, the Yudeok-dong Beodeulmaeul Multipurpose Cultural Center aims to open in May 2024 after a design competition scheduled for September this year.