Baek Jong-han, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, Calls for Willingness to Solve Chronic Congestion at Pungam Intersection and Other Issues

Published 31 Oct.2022 16:34(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Baek Jong-han, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Council, argued that there is a need for a strong will to improve issues such as sewer maintenance and the habitual congestion problem at Pungam Intersection.

During the 2nd plenary session of the 307th extraordinary meeting, Councilor Baek mentioned four key issues: ▲sewer maintenance ▲excessive rental cost burden ▲improvement of working conditions in vulnerable areas ▲promotion of the Pungam Intersection underpass.

Currently, to resolve problems such as septic tank and sewer odor generation and the burden of manure treatment costs, the Seochang 1 district separated sewer pipe project is being promoted over a length of 202.5 km, including Hwajeong 3·4-dong, Pungam-dong, and Sangmu 2-dong. However, he pointed out that the project is delayed due to difficulties in securing the budget, as the national subsidy rate is only 30% of the required 258.6 billion KRW.

Councilor Baek urged, “Considering that design services are currently underway for a 36.24 km section of Seochang 1 district, the relevant departments of Seo-gu Office should take an interest and strive to complete the project as soon as possible.”

He also added, “The Pungam Intersection, connecting Pungam-dong and Maewol-dong, is a habitual congestion area due to the nearby entrance to the 2nd Ring Road, Pungam District, and Maewol-dong Comprehensive Distribution Complex. Furthermore, with the upcoming private park special project for Jungang Park, an additional 2,000 households are expected to settle. Gwangju City plans to invest 30 billion KRW of city funds to complete an 800m long four-lane underpass by 2026. To complete this on time, the Seo-gu Office’s commitment to improving the traffic environment is equally important,” he added.