Baek Jong-han, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, "Urban Railway Construction Must Strengthen Resident Safety"

Voices have emerged at the Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Council demanding active response from Seo-gu Office regarding complaints about the construction of Urban Railway Line 2.

Baek Jong-han, Chair of the Seo-gu Operations Committee, delivered a 5-minute free speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 321st extraordinary meeting held on the 14th. Councilor Baek stated, “Complaints related to the urban railway construction are continuously increasing,” and argued, “Seo-gu Office must actively step up to ensure the safety of residents and alleviate their anxiety.”

The first phase of the third stage of the Urban Railway Line 2 construction began in October 2019 and is scheduled to continue until the end of 2026. Out of the total 20 stations under construction, 9 stations and the vehicle depot are being built in Seo-gu. Councilor Baek proposed the “designation and operation of a general department responsible for resolving complaints related to the urban railway construction occurring in Seo-gu and managing the safety of district residents until the construction is fully completed.”

Councilor Baek said, “Safety accidents such as ground subsidence around construction sites, building tilting, sinkholes, road lane closures and uneven road surfaces causing traffic congestion, and damage to water pipes are frequently occurring. Nearby businesses are suffering huge losses in sales due to blocked customer access,” adding, “However, even problems clearly visible to the naked eye are difficult for residents lacking expertise to file lawsuits over. The anxiety caused by damages, accidents, and the risk of accidents falls entirely on the residents.”

In response, Councilor Baek emphasized, “Local governments must strive to guarantee the safety of citizens to realize a safe nation. Even small issues must be addressed excessively to prevent major accidents,” and insisted, “Active administrative and technical support from Seo-gu Office is necessary to prevent accidents caused by the construction and to resolve the damages suffered by Seo-gu residents.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho bless4ya@asiae.co.kr

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