Kang Gijeong Urges Minister of Land to Ensure "Fair Operation of KTX Honam Line"

Meeting with Kim Yoonduk
Request for Support on Transportation and Housing Infrastructure

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong met with Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, at the Government Sejong Complex on the 1st to discuss major regional issues including the "KTX Honam Line Fair Operation" and took a commemorative photo afterward. Provided by Gwangju City

On October 1, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong met with Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, at the Government Sejong Complex and requested prompt and active government support for issues related to transportation, housing, and industrial infrastructure. In particular, he urgently called for "fair and non-discriminatory operation of the KTX Honam Line."

Previously, on September 23, Mayor Kang, together with the Gwangju City Council, the five autonomous districts, the Gwangsan District Council, and local citizens, held a "Resolution Rally to Eliminate Discrimination and Unfairness on the KTX Honam Line." At the event, they proposed a three-phase, feasible improvement plan for KTX operations and submitted it to the government.

This meeting was a follow-up to that initiative, with Mayor Kang once again requesting fair operation of the KTX Honam Line from the government and addressing other major regional issues.

During the meeting, Mayor Kang told Minister Kim, "Currently, due to supply limitations, it is difficult to increase railway usage and attract new residents to the area via the KTX Honam Line. Achieving balanced regional development under the Lee Jaemyung administration's 'Five Regions, Three Special Zones' policy requires fair operation of the Honam Line as a prerequisite."

Additionally, the city proposed several key issues for Gwangju's future, including: direct implementation of the Sanjeong Public Housing District project by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH); increasing the national funding ratio for the Honam Expressway expansion project; and incorporating the Gwangju New Industry Line into the National Rail Network Plan. The city called for practical and actionable policy responses from the government.

Minister Kim Yoonduk emphasized decentralization, balanced development, and cooperation between central and local governments, stating, "We will positively consider the issues raised by Gwangju."

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