Mayor Jin Sun Jeon Welcomes Resumption of Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway... "Gangha IC Must Be Included"

Jin Sun Jeon, Mayor of Yangpyeong County, Holds Press Conference on Resumption of Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway
Expresses "Welcome" for Presidential Office's Decision to Resume Project
"Three Years of Suffering from Political Controversy, Residents' Interests Must Be Considered"
Hanam City Also "Welcomes" the Resumption of Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway
“Urges Early Completion of Gyosan Section by 2032... Starting Point Change Essential”

"We, along with the 130,000 residents of Yangpyeong County, wholeheartedly welcome the Presidential Office's decision on the 20th to resume the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project. When the feasibility study for restarting the project is conducted, the Gangha IC, which represents the aspirations of Yangpyeong County residents and serves the county's interests, must be included in the expressway route."

Jinseon Jeon, Mayor of Yangpyeong County, is holding a press conference at the Yangpyeong County Office on the 24th. Photo by Jonggu Lee

Jin Sun Jeon, mayor of Yangpyeong County, held a press conference at Yangpyeong County Office on the 24th, stating, "For our residents, who have experienced deep despair since the suspension of the project in July 2023, this decision is like much-needed rain after a long drought." He emphasized, "I hope the government will carry out the project swiftly and without setbacks in accordance with its roadmap."

Mayor Jeon remarked, "The shock and suffering our residents have endured are beyond words," and added, "As certain political circles turned the project into a political controversy and pushed for a special investigation, the resulting budget paralysis left the local economy trapped in stagnation."

He pointed out that, as a result, the community sentiment in Yangpyeong has sunk into deep despair, and the regional economy has been unable to escape the mire of stagnation.

He continued, "The government's decision to revisit the route from scratch, prioritizing economic efficiency and resident convenience above all else, reflects the voices of our residents." He added, "Now is the time to focus on practical implementation for Yangpyeong's long-term future, rather than unproductive debates."

Jin Sun Jeon, Yangpyeong County Governor, is holding a press conference at Yangpyeong County Office on the 24th. Photo by Jonggu Lee

Mayor Jeon presented two key conditions to represent Yangpyeong County's interests as the project resumes.

First, the inclusion of Gangha IC is essential. He stressed, "The Gangha IC, which is a sincere wish of our residents and actual users, must be reflected in the route during the feasibility study process."

Second, the region must become a hub for a future-oriented metropolitan transportation network. Mayor Jeon made it clear that, "Beyond simply connecting Seoul and Yangpyeong, the route should be extended in the future toward the eastern region and Hongcheon area, establishing a major eastern transportation hub linking Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province."

Jin Jinseon, Mayor of Yangpyeong County, is holding a press conference at the Yangpyeong County Office on the 24th. Photo by Jonggu Lee

Mayor Jeon concluded the press conference by stating, "Yangpyeong County will continue to prioritize regional economic development and resident convenience, and we will spare no administrative support or effort to ensure the successful completion of this project."

Meanwhile, the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway is considered key infrastructure for alleviating traffic congestion in the eastern metropolitan area. With the decision to resume the project, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is expected to begin a full-scale feasibility study and gather public opinion from residents.

Hanam City Actively Welcomes the Resumption of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway

Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyunjae) also expressed a strong welcome for the Presidential Office's announcement to resume the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway project, and strongly urged that the project proceed without delay in line with the new town move-in schedule.

The section of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway from Seoul to Sangsa Interchange to Sansangok Interchange to Buk Gwangju Junction will be pre-completed by 2032. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City, which has developed Misagangbyeon New Town, Wirye New Town, and Gamjeil New Town under the metropolitan housing supply policy, stated that residents have suffered transportation inconveniences due to delays in the improvement plan for metropolitan-wide transportation serving the new towns.

Hanam City pointed out that, although this expressway project is the core metropolitan transportation measure for the third-phase new town area of Gyosan District, the three-year suspension has undermined the government’s goal of enabling a "30-minute commute to Seoul."

In particular, as Gyosan New Town is scheduled to begin occupancy in 2029 and have most residents moved in by 2032, the city argued that the government's plan to begin construction at the end of 2029 is excessively delayed. The city recommended that at least the section from Seoul to Gyosan New Town (Sangsachang IC), Sangsangok Corporate Relocation Complex (Sangsangok IC), and Jungbu Expressway (Bukgwangju JCT) must be completed ahead of time by 2032 to coincide with the move-in period.

Additionally, Hanam City reiterated the need to change the starting point of the planned expressway. If the expressway starts at Seoul Oryun Intersection as currently planned, a total of 12 lanes—including the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway (four lanes), Wirye-daero (four lanes), and Gamjeil New Town (four lanes)—would converge at one point, causing severe traffic congestion for residents of the Gamjeil District.

Seoul~Yangpyeong Expressway Starting Point Connection Method Changed. Provided by Hanam City

A Hanam City official stated, "Since the initial establishment of the Gyosan New Town metropolitan transportation improvement plan in 2020, we have been consulting with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and LH Corporation since 2024 to optimize the plan based on changes in the scale of Gyosan New Town and the surrounding metropolitan transportation environment." The official continued, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Gyosan New Town project operator should promptly establish an inclusive, user-centered 'Gyosan New Town Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan (revised)' to ensure that future residents do not experience transportation inconveniences."

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