At the Cheonan Hospital Forum, Ruling and Opposition Candidates Propose Solutions to Current Issues Including Overcrowded Classes

Modular Classrooms and Classroom Expansion Proposed as Solutions to Overcrowded Classes
Most Oppose Development of Buldang-dong Citizen Sports Park Site

Ahead of the 22nd general election, the candidates running in the Cheonan-byeong district joined hands ahead of the TV debate.

Ahead of the 22nd general election, candidates running in the Cheonan-byeong district appealed for support by presenting different solutions to everyday issues such as the overcrowded classes in Buldang-dong and the utilization of the Cheonan Citizen Sports Park site during their first TV debate.

On the 20th, SK Broadband and the Cheonan Journalists Association held a debate inviting candidates for the 22nd National Assembly election to scrutinize the Cheonan-byeong candidates. The debate was attended by Lee Jeong-moon of the Democratic Party, Lee Chang-soo of the People Power Party, and Han Jeong-ae of the Green Justice Party.

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jeong-moon proposed pledges including △completion of the Cheonan-Asan Station R&D direct district △upgrading industrial complexes △designation of education development special zones, free economic zones, and expansion of hinterlands for small and strong special zones △undergrounding of Cheonan urban railway, construction of new roads around Sinbang and Mokcheon, and construction of the Cheonan metropolitan circular railway.

People Power Party candidate Lee Chang-soo promised △designation of Cheonan as an education special zone △establishment of a new elementary school to resolve overcrowded classes in Buldang-dong △establishment of a 24-hour pediatric and adolescent emergency medical system △early completion of Buldang Library △expansion of parking facilities in Ssangyong-dong △promotion of Cheonan city district division.

Green Justice Party candidate Han Jeong-ae presented key pledges including △free education at local universities △introduction of a 10,000 won pass for public transportation △guaranteeing everyone’s right to unionize.

The candidates focused on discussing issues related to Buldang-dong, which was newly incorporated into the district for the 22nd general election.

Regarding the task of resolving overcrowded classes in Buldang-dong, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jeong-moon said, “During the 21st National Assembly, I led the opening of Neungsu Elementary School, which was the biggest issue in Cheongdang-dong,” and added, “While building new schools is the best solution for overcrowding, it is realistically difficult, so we will actively utilize classroom expansions.”

People Power Party candidate Lee Chang-soo pointed out, “No one is taking responsibility for the overcrowding issue,” and said, “If we only expect a natural decline in the school-age population, Buldang-dong will continue to have overcrowded classes.” He then proposed, “We will establish a consultative governance where related organizations such as Chungnam Province, Cheonan City, Chungnam Office of Education, and Cheonan Education Support Office can work together to solve this.”

Green Justice Party candidate Han Jeong-ae criticized, “The biggest cause of overcrowded classes is the reckless development in Cheonan City,” and noted, “The number of elementary students in Cheonan has steadily decreased over the past 10 years, and the number of middle and high school students is expected to significantly decline by 2028, making it difficult to build or expand classrooms.” She added, “We need to consider introducing modular classrooms, as implemented in the metropolitan area, or a two-shift system for classes.”

Regarding the utilization of the Cheonan Citizen Sports Park site in Buldang-dong, which sparked the biggest controversy last year, each candidate presented different solutions.

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jeong-moon criticized, “This issue should have been discussed through sufficient prior public deliberation, but Mayor Park Sang-don suddenly announced it during last year’s municipal speech, causing controversy,” and added, “Along with procedural problems, fundamentally, this park is a precious resting place for all Cheonan citizens, so I cannot agree with demolishing it to build a massive structure.”

People Power Party candidate Lee Chang-soo said, “Securing legality and procedural justification in policy decision-making and implementation processes is very important,” and added, “This issue should be approached not as a matter of preservation versus development but with the wisdom of spatial remodeling.” He suggested, “We need to consider whether this park is currently fulfilling its role and think about developing it into a complex cultural, sports, and ecological park linked with nearby facilities such as the Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium and Bongseo Mountain.”

Green Justice Party candidate Han Jeong-ae strongly opposed, saying, “Developing the Citizen Sports Park for other purposes is an insult to the citizens,” and raised her voice, “I absolutely cannot accept the logic of development being used less than four years after investing 10 billion won to create the park, to build apartments and commercial facilities.”

Meanwhile, the debate will be broadcast on SK Broadband Channel 1 on the 21st at 11:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.

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