Kang Byeongdeok Urges Government to Approve Fast-Track Preliminary Feasibility Study for Wirye-Sinsa Line

Kang Byeongdeok, Policy Special Advisor to the Democratic Party of Korea Leader, on February 5 strongly urged the government to make a responsible and swift decision to approve the long-delayed preliminary feasibility study (hereinafter referred to as the preliminary feasibility study) for the Wirye-Sinsa Line.

Kang Byungdeok, Senior Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea Hanam-si Gap District Committee, and Wirye residents are posing for a photo after calling for approval of the preliminary feasibility study for the Wirye Sinsa Line. Photo by Kang Byungdeok, Policy Special Advisor to the Democratic Party leader.

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In a statement that day, Policy Special Advisor Kang stressed, "The Wirye-Sinsa Line is an essential route connecting Wirye New Town and Seoul's Gangnam area, and it is also a long-cherished wish of residents in the southeastern Seoul metropolitan area, including Wirye, Hanam, and Seongnam," adding, "We must now put an end to the suffering residents have endured due to the limitations of the private investment method and repeated delays in administrative procedures."

Policy Special Advisor Kang said, "To resolve these structural problems, I have consistently raised the necessity of converting the Wirye-Sinsa Line into a fiscal investment project," and explained, "Together with Assemblywoman Choo Mi-ae, we continued policy consultations and persuasion efforts targeting the National Assembly, the government, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and as a result we achieved the outcome of changing the project implementation method."

He went on to say, "The conversion into a fiscal investment project was a turning point that put the Wirye-Sinsa Line back on the right track," adding, "On the basis of this conversion, the Wirye-Sinsa Line was able to be designated as a project subject to the fast-track preliminary feasibility study." He further noted, "The designation as a fast-track preliminary feasibility study project means that the transportation realities of the Wirye area and the policy urgency have been officially recognized."

Policy Special Advisor Kang also highlighted his cooperation with Assemblywoman Choo Mi-ae in this process. He said, "During the conversion of the Wirye-Sinsa Line into a fiscal investment project and the process of being selected as a fast-track preliminary feasibility study project, Assemblywoman Choo Mi-ae continuously raised the issue at the National Assembly level and provided policy support," adding, "Without such close cooperation, it would have been difficult to reach the current stage."

However, Policy Special Advisor Kang cautioned, "The selection as a fast-track preliminary feasibility study project does not mean the project is complete," emphasizing, "The preliminary feasibility study has not yet been approved, and at this moment, the government's decision is more important than anything else." He also pointed out, "For Wirye residents who have endured transportation inconvenience for 17 years, any further delay is unacceptable."

Policy Special Advisor Kang stated, "The government and relevant ministries must once again squarely face why the Wirye-Sinsa Line was designated as a fast-track preliminary feasibility study project," and strongly urged, "Taking into account the transportation conditions of Wirye New Town, which has already entered a mature stage, we strongly call for the approval of the fast-track preliminary feasibility study and the seamless implementation of the Wirye-Sinsa Line project."

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