Goyang City Council Member Lee Cheoljo Expresses Regret Over Rejection of 'Resolution Urging Approval of Investment Review for Baekseok Office Building'

200 Billion Won in Losses for Citizens Due to Two Years of Vacancy
A Matter of Common Sense, Not Politics

Lee Cheoljo, a member of the Goyang City Council in Gyeonggi Province (People Power Party, Ilsan 1, Tanhyeon 1, Tanhyeon 2), expressed his deep regret on September 1 at the first plenary session of the 297th extraordinary meeting, regarding the rejection of the "Resolution Urging Approval of Investment Review for Baekseok Office Building in Goyang City," which he sponsored.

A view of Goyang Special City Council. Provided by Goyang Special City Council

Assemblyman Lee stated, "It is unfortunate that an urgent local issue was dismissed due to political considerations," adding, "The Baekseok Office Building has been left vacant for two years, resulting in the waste of hundreds of millions of won in annual maintenance costs, and the losses suffered by citizens have reached 20 billion won."

In fact, in November 2024, the court reduced Goyang City's claim by approximately 20 billion won in the first trial of the damages lawsuit filed by the city against Yojin Construction, citing the 'vacant state' of the building among other reasons.

Assemblyman Lee pointed out, "Even though the court ruling clearly confirmed the damages caused by the vacancy, it is irresponsible for the city council not to even urge the approval of the investment review."

Currently, Goyang City has drawn up a plan to utilize the Baekseok Office Building as a venture business cluster and public office, in accordance with the "Public Property Management Plan" approved by the city council in 2018, and has requested an investment review from Gyeonggi Province. However, there are concerns that the rejection of the resolution by the city council could affect the likelihood of approval from Gyeonggi Province.

Assemblyman Lee emphasized, "Goyang City is striving to attract promising venture companies and is already engaged in concrete discussions with some firms," stressing, "This issue should be viewed from the perspective of citizens' interests and revitalization of the local economy, not through a political lens."

He criticized, "Due to a lack of office space, Goyang City is currently leasing eight private buildings nearby and is spending about 1.3 billion won annually on rent and maintenance costs. Neglecting the Baekseok Office Building, a public asset, is not only a waste of financial resources but also undermines administrative trust."

Assemblyman Lee Cheoljo stated, "This is an issue that should be considered from the citizens' perspective, transcending party lines," and added, "I will do my utmost in the remaining period to secure approval for the investment review from Gyeonggi Province."

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