Mayor Shin Donghwa: “Results Over Words”... Accelerating Progress on Eight Key Issues Including GH Relocation, GTX-B, Inchangcheon

Mayor Shin Donghwa Holds First Major Issues Briefing Since Inauguration
Review of Key Projects... Taking the Initiative to Resolve 9th Administration Challenges
Speeds Up Top Pledge: GH Relocation
Calls for Tangible Solutions Citizens Can Feel
“If GTX-B Does Not Stop at Galmae Station, Constitutional Petition Will Follow”
Strong Stance Announced

Shin Donghwa, Mayor of Guri, has launched a thorough inspection of key projects under the 9th popularly-elected administration. At the first major report meeting since taking office, Mayor Shin stressed, “I will prove our resolve with results, not words,” and strongly urged each department to deliver tangible changes and achievements that citizens can feel in their daily lives.

Guri City held a 'Major Current Issues Project Progress Report Meeting' over two days from the 13th to the 14th at the City Hall Situation Room, focusing on the progress and future directions of eight key projects. Provided by Guri City

Guri City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 16th that it held the "Report Meeting on the Progress of Major Pending Projects" over two days, from the 13th to the 14th, at the City Hall situation room, focusing on reviewing the progress and future direction of eight core projects.

This report meeting was not merely a routine work report; instead, it closely examined how each project would impact citizens’ lives. Mayor Shin personally checked for issues in the implementation of each project and instructed city officials to establish effective alternatives from the citizens’ perspective.

The area that drew the most attention was the relocation of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH), Mayor Shin’s number one campaign pledge.

The GH relocation project, which had been delayed due to a suspension of administrative procedures by Gyeonggi Province, gained new momentum after Guri City submitted an official document to the province stating that it would no longer pursue incorporation into Seoul.

Mayor Shin emphasized, “There is no reason to wait until the new government office building is completed,” and added, “We must quickly pursue the move to a temporary office to serve as a catalyst for the region’s development.”

Regarding the Inchangcheon Ecological Stream Restoration Project, with a total budget of 47.5 billion won, Mayor Shin declared ‘citizen safety’ as the top priority.

He pointed out the pedestrian safety issues in the downstream section, stating, “Before improving the river landscape, the first priority should be to ensure a safe route for children to walk to school.”

Currently, some sections lack sidewalks, forcing students dropped off by school vehicles to walk along the road's edge. Mayor Shin ordered a thorough review, instructing staff to consider installing sidewalks and decks, adjust railings to secure additional parking spaces, and redesign details like creating pools and riffles where aquatic life can survive even in winter.

The vision is not just to restore Inchangcheon as a simple waterway but to create a public leisure space and a hub for revitalizing the local commercial district.

Regarding measures to improve the wide-area transport network in Topyeong District 2, the mayor requested practical transportation strategies.

He emphasized, “It’s not enough to simply list various route options; Guri City must establish its own priorities and enhance its negotiating power.”

Especially, instead of relying solely on low-economic-feasibility projects, Mayor Shin directed the city to consider various alternatives such as adding a new station on Line 8 and introducing a circular tram in Topyeong District 2. However, he noted that any projects involving sections within Seoul would require the city’s cooperation and made it clear that essential local traffic solutions—such as the multi-level improvement of the Topyeong Samgeori intersection and the expansion of the Guri–Amsa Bridge—must be included.

On the issue of securing a stop for the GTX-B at Galmae Station, Mayor Shin took a firm stance.

At present, it has not been confirmed that the GTX-B will stop at Galmae Station, yet Guri City is being asked to cover approximately 40 billion won in construction costs.

Mayor Shin stated, “If the GTX-B does not stop at Galmae Station, our citizens will have to endure noise and dust pollution, so it is unreasonable to expect us to also bear construction costs.” He instructed staff to explore the possibility of filing a constitutional petition after a legal review.

He also ordered the city to study precedents from other new town developments to strengthen its negotiating case and called for the swift establishment of the ‘Galmae Traffic Task Force (TF)’ to build a proactive response system.

The Galmae-dong Complex Community Center project was also identified as needing a comprehensive review beyond its original plans.

To address the lack of cultural spaces for teenagers in Galmae-dong, Mayor Shin instructed officials to find ways to create youth-only facilities without having to return national funds. He also suggested converting municipal daycare centers with insufficient enrollments into specialized childcare centers focused on children with special needs.

In addition, the city reviewed local issues such as the management direction for the Social Economy Support Center, responses to the Reading·Arts·Sports Education (RAS) pilot city contest, and creating a safe pedestrian path on Mangwoo Circular Road.

Mayor Shin Donghwa concluded, “Every project discussed in this report meeting is ultimately about the citizens’ quality of life. Do not be complacent simply because administrative procedures have been completed—think through what will truly benefit our citizens until the very end.”

Meanwhile, Guri City will track the improvements proposed during the meeting by department and continue monitoring progress, aiming to ensure that the key projects under its 9th popularly-elected administration deliver results that citizens can truly experience.

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