Controversy Over Yangpyeong Expressway: Could Resident Voting and Opinion Polls Be the Key?

Direct Confrontation Between Ruling and Opposition Parties, Clear Solution Difficult to Find
Local Voices Call for Project Resumption: "Listen to Public Opinion and Decide by Vote"

As the controversy over allegations of favoritism surrounding the change of the planned terminus for the Seoul~Yangpyeong Expressway refuses to subside, various solutions are being discussed. The most representative are resident referendums and opinion polls. The intention is to finalize the decision by reflecting the will of the residents, but if actually implemented, it is expected to lead to legal grounds and disputes over the subjects of the referendums and opinion polls.

The opposition party is sharpening its criticism over suspicions involving President Yoon Seok-yeol's in-laws, while the ruling party is mounting an active defense. On the 11th, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at the National Assembly floor strategy meeting, "If the Democratic Party insists on naming it a gate, it would be more appropriate to call it the 'Yangpyeong County Governor Gate.'"

On the 9th, near the Yangpyeong County Office in Gyeonggi Province, a banner expressing opinions related to the cancellation of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project, which has caused unrest in the local community, was displayed. Photo by Yonhap News

The opposition continues its offensive by naming the Seoul~Yangpyeong Expressway the "Kim Gun-hee Road." Earlier, on the 10th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, claimed at the Supreme Council meeting, "If the terminus had been installed in Gangsang-myeon as the government intended, the president's in-laws, who own land equivalent to five soccer fields nearby, would have enjoyed enormous development profits."

As the ruling and opposition parties stand firmly opposed, movements to resume the expressway project are also accelerating, centered on the local area. On the 10th, Jeon Jin-seon, Yangpyeong County Governor, Bang Se-hwan, Gwangju Mayor, and Lee Hyun-jae, Hanam Mayor, the heads of three basic local governments in eastern Gyeonggi Province, decided to form an alliance to resume the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seon-kyo urged a swift resolution and emphasized the need to gather residents' opinions through referendums or opinion polls regarding which route to decide upon if the project resumes.

On the 10th, on CBS Radio's "Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Battle," former lawmaker Kim said, "There have already been rallies and signature campaigns in the area, so wouldn't it be best to proceed quickly?" and added, "I hope they listen to the local residents' opinions, hold a referendum, and then make a decision."

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