Park Wansu and Na Dongyeon: "Yangsan to Become Gyeongnam-Busan Integration Hub, Connecting East and West and Advancing as a Cutting-Edge Logistics City"

People Power Party candidates Park Wansu for Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do and Na Dongyeon for Yangsan Mayor have jointly presented policy pledges aimed at making a significant leap forward for Yangsan and stabilizing residents' livelihoods.

On May 13, Park and Na held a press conference at the provincial government press center and announced the "Nine Key Pledges for Yangsan's Great Leap."

The two candidates stated, "We will connect the divided eastern and western living zones into one, expand the transportation network linking Yangsan, Changwon, Gimhae, Busan, and Ulsan, and develop Yangsan into an advanced logistics city centered on the medical-bio industry."

They also declared, "Yangsan will become the central city and a hub for the special integrated city of Gyeongnam and Busan once it launches. We will ensure Yangsan fully enjoys the benefits of integration and pave the way for even greater opportunities."

Governor candidate Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province is announcing major campaign promises for the Yangsan region together with Yangsan mayor candidate Na Dongyeon (left).
[Photo by Lee Seryung]

First, the two candidates pledged to build a multi-purpose sports center in the eastern part of Yangsan.

They plan to expand and develop the current plan by Yangsan City to build a 50-meter, certified swimming pool in the eastern Yangsan area, including Ungsang.

They also put forward a blueprint to designate Dong-myeon and Sasong as special education districts and attract specialized high schools.

The two candidates pledged to construct a tunnel along Provincial Road No. 1028 connecting Sangbuk and Ungsang, addressing a local aspiration that has lasted 25 years.

Yangsan is divided by Cheonseongsan Mountain, which rises more than 900 meters high, separating the eastern area known as Ungsang from the western zone, which includes Mulgeum New Town and the city hall.

To travel between the eastern and western parts of Yangsan, residents must detour around Cheonseongsan Mountain. In particular, residents of Ungsang face geographical limitations, as they must travel through either Ulsan or Busan to reach the Changwon area.

In response, the two candidates announced plans to construct the so-called "Cheonseongsan Tunnel" during their term, directly connecting the eastern area of Yangsan, including Ungsang, with the western area, including Sangbuk, in the shortest possible distance.

Park stated, "When revising the next national highway route, we are simultaneously pursuing both the option of extending National Route 2 and conducting a basic plan study for direct construction by the provincial government as a local road. Whichever method is chosen, we will break ground during the 9th popularly-elected term."

Candidate Na Dong-yeon for Yangsan mayor is announcing key campaign promises for the Yangsan area along with candidate Park Wan-su for Gyeongnam governor (right).
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

The two candidates also pledged to: introduce a metropolitan express bus (G Bus) connecting Yangsan, Changwon, Busan, and Ulsan; complete and open the National Support Route 60 between Maeri and Yangsan and Provincial Road No. 1022 between Tokyo and Mulgeum as early as possible; commence the construction of the Busan-Yangsan (Ungsang)-Ulsan metropolitan railway at the earliest possible date; and secure preliminary feasibility approval for the project to build the Gimhae-Yangsan-Ulsan southeastern region circular metropolitan railway.

They also discussed plans to promote a biomedical industry innovation belt centered on the Natural Products Safety Management Institute, recently completed in the high-tech industry-academia complex; pursue a leading project to innovate space utilization on the idle land at Pusan National University Yangsan Campus; and actively support the development of the new city in Jeungsan, Mulgeum-eup.

They announced plans to upgrade the Ungsang Branch Office in Yangsan to an Eastern Government Office and to establish a new Bureau of Balanced Development as a core body of the Eastern Government Office.

The Bureau of Balanced Development will directly oversee urban regeneration in eastern Yangsan, social overhead capital (SOC) projects, and the development of tourism infrastructure, as well as promote the creation of the Yangsan Arboretum, the construction of an indoor swimming pool, and the establishment of Jujin Light Park and cultural spaces along the Hoiya River.

Additionally, regarding the installation of Hi-Pass lanes in both directions on the Gyeongbu Expressway near Sasong New Town, they stated that the upbound and downbound lanes will be developed simultaneously, with the provincial government of Gyeongnam providing special grants to support some of the costs from Yangsan City's budget.

They also pledged to work toward amending relevant laws so that the jurisdiction over the Veterans Affairs Office, the court, and the prosecutor's office will be transferred from Ulsan to Gyeongsangnam-do.

The two candidates emphasized, "For the past four years, we have worked sincerely and diligently for the development of Yangsan. We will not stop our efforts to connect the divided east and west, and to make Yangsan a city where advanced industries such as bio and cultural leisure flourish."

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