"Yangpyeong Expressway Cancellation" Won Heeryong Welcomes Project Resumption... Democratic Party Criticizes "Dissociation from Responsibility"

President Lee Orders Resumption of Yangpyeong Expressway Construction
Won Heeryong: "I Welcome the Decision... The Democratic Party Must Explain the Delays"
Kim Dongyeon: "An Apology Comes First", Han Junho: "Evasion of Responsibility"

As former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Heeryong expressed his support for the Lee Jaemyung administration's decision to resume the Yangpyeong Expressway project, preliminary candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea for the Gyeonggi governor position voiced criticism.

Won Hee-ryong, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Asia Business Daily database

On March 22, Won wrote on his social media account, "It is said that the Yangpyeong Expressway project, which had been suspended for nearly three years, will be resumed. Although it is late, I welcome this decision." He added, "From the beginning, I have consistently proposed proceeding with the project based on a rational decision that takes into account the wishes of local residents, excluding all political considerations. The current administration's announcement that it will review all possible routes aligns with my position."

He continued, "However, what is regrettable is that the Democratic Party, which has refused both my proposal to move forward with the project through objective route verification and budget allocation, has delayed the project for almost three years, yet has not offered a single explanation. The suspicions of preferential treatment raised by the Democratic Party will be fully clarified through judicial procedures. I now hope the project will proceed swiftly, based solely on the wishes of the residents and rationality. In particular, the government should seriously consider how to reflect the wishes of residents who want an entrance interchange installed."

Back in July 2023, when allegations of preferential treatment for Kim Geonhee's family were raised, Won declared, "There is no way to stop the fake news narrative," and announced that the project would be completely suspended and scrapped, including a review of the routes. He also stated that "there is no solicitation or favoritism," and that he would stake both his ministerial post and political career on this. As a result of this decision, the project was halted for an extended period, leading to ongoing anxiety among residents.

The allegations of route change for the Yangpyeong Expressway center on claims that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport changed the project's endpoint to land owned by First Lady Kim Geonhee's family, thereby granting them preferential treatment. The original endpoint at Yangseo-myeon passed the preliminary feasibility study in 2021, but suspicions arose in May 2023 when the ministry reviewed a new endpoint at Gangsang-myeon, where the Kim family owns land.

Won is currently under investigation by a special prosecutor regarding these allegations of preferential treatment. On March 17, the Second Integrated Special Prosecutor's Office, led by Kwon Changyoung, announced to the media that Won had been placed under an overseas travel ban.

On the 20th, the Blue House announced that President Lee Jae-myung has instructed the resumption of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway construction project, which had been halted until now. Yonhap News

Previously, on March 20, the Blue House announced that President Lee Jaemyung had instructed the resumption of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway construction project, which had been suspended. In a briefing that day, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ikpyo stated, "We plan to prepare a budget support plan to resume the project within the first half of this year, and after a new feasibility study and other necessary procedures, we will promptly decide on a route and aim to begin construction by the end of 2029."

Responding to Won's welcoming remarks, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dongyeon said, "True to his role as Yoon Sukyeol's minister, he shows neither shame nor the slightest sense of responsibility," adding, "(Former Minister Won) should first apologize to the residents of Yangpyeong County and Gyeonggi Province." Kim continued, "He flabbergasted the residents of Yangpyeong and the province by abruptly scrapping the expressway project, and now, instead of apologizing, he shamelessly tries to shift the blame to others to escape his predicament. He should sincerely cooperate with the special prosecutor's investigation."

Han Junho, a Democratic Party candidate for the Gyeonggi gubernatorial primary, remarked, "It was you (former Minister Won) who, in July 2023, stood at the forefront of the Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Geonhee camp and declared the project scrapped." He continued, "When allegations involving Kim Geonhee's family emerged, you took the lead in praising and defending Kim Geonhee before the entire nation. And now you say you welcome the resumption? Such dissociation from responsibility is simply brazen."

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