"Entire Budget Cut"... Honam Expressway Expansion Project Halted

Son Hyejin of Gwangju Bukgu Council:
"City Fails to Execute Project Funds and Does Not Participate in Government Consultations"

Hyejin Son, a member of the Gwangju Bukgu Council (Progressive Party, Yongbong, Maegok, Ilgok, and Samgak-dong), urged, "The city of Gwangju must clearly demonstrate its commitment to implementing the Honam Expressway expansion project."

Hyejin Son, Gwangju Bukgu Council Member.

According to the Bukgu Council on July 1, Council Member Son stated during a 'five-minute free speech' session at the previous day's plenary meeting, "The government's recent decision to completely cut the 36.7 billion won budget for the Honam Expressway expansion project at a Cabinet meeting was because the city of Gwangju not only failed to execute the 6.7 billion won in municipal funds it had secured, but also did not participate in discussions with the central government."

Son further pointed out, "Citing the increase in the total project cost, the city of Gwangju has withdrawn from the original 50-50 cost-sharing agreement and is now demanding that the central government cover the entire cost. As a result, cooperation with the central government has broken down, and residents' trust has been undermined." She called for the immediate execution of the 6.7 billion won in municipal funds and the commencement of administrative procedures.

In response, a Bukgu official stated, "The Honam Expressway expansion project and the construction of the Yongbong IC access road have long been long-awaited projects for local residents. Our district has been continuously submitting proposals to the city to implement these projects. We will continue to actively cooperate and communicate with the city and relevant agencies to alleviate traffic congestion and build local infrastructure."

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