Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers from Yeongnam and Honam Unite for Muju–Daegu Expressway Feasibility Approval

Policy Seminar Held at National Assembly to Share Strategies
Over 30 Years Unfinished Since Inclusion in 1992 Plan
Emphasis on the Significance of Completing the Third East-West National Arterial Route

In order to secure approval for the preliminary feasibility study of the Muju–Daegu Expressway in North Jeolla Province, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, along with officials from North Jeolla, North Gyeongsang, and Daegu, gathered at the National Assembly to share strategies for advancing the project. Participants agreed on the need to complete the third east-west axis of the national arterial road network—which has remained unfinished for over 30 years—in order to connect the Yeongnam and Honam regions.

Democratic Party lawmaker Ho-young Ahn (Wanju, Jinan, Muju, Jeonbuk), along with People's Power lawmakers Heeyong Jung (Goryeong, Seongju, Chilgok, Gyeongbuk), Eonseok Song (Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk), and Jinsook Lee (Dalseong, Daegu) jointly hosted the "Policy Seminar at the National Assembly for the Passage of the Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Construction of the Muju-Seongju-Daegu Expressway" on the 28th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. Photo by Ho-young Ahn's office

Oh Young Ahn, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Wanju, Jinan, and Muju), and lawmakers Hee Yong Jung and On Seok Song from the People Power Party, as well as Jin Sook Lee (Dalseong, Daegu), co-hosted the “Parliamentary Policy Seminar for the Preliminary Feasibility Study Approval of the Muju–Seongju–Daegu Expressway Construction” at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 28th. People Power Party floor leader Dong-hyeok Jang, lawmaker In Sun Lee, Hwang Inhong, mayor of Muju County, and Jeon Hwashik, mayor of Seongju County, were also in attendance.

The Muju–Daegu Expressway is the only section among the third east-west axis of the national arterial route that remains unconnected. The third axis runs from Gimje to Pohang, and while some sections have opened, the Muju–Seongju–Daegu segment is still isolated from the network.

The project was included as a target for the preliminary feasibility study last year, and since January of this year, the Korea Development Institute (KDI) has been conducting its assessment.

The seminar discussed the expected effects of the project and response strategies that should be considered during the feasibility study process.

Sang Yeob Kim, Director of Planning and Management at the Jeonbuk Institute, gave a presentation titled “Promotion Strategy for Completing the Third East-West Expressway.” Sunha Lee, former professor at Kongju National University, served as the moderator, while panelists included Cheongil Choi, Director-General of Construction & Transportation at North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province; Jongtae Park, Director-General of Construction & Urban Affairs at North Gyeongsang Province; Juyoung Heo, Director of Transportation for Daegu Metropolitan City; Chulwoo Park, professor at Kangwon National University; and Susung Kim, head of the Daegu Policy Research Institute.

Assemblyman Oh Young Ahn stated, “Although the third east-west axis of the national arterial network— the Gimje–Pohang Expressway, first included in 1992— saw partial sections open over the past three decades, the Muju–Seongju–Daegu section remains disconnected. We must link this final section to resolve a longstanding challenge that has divided the Yeongnam and Honam regions.”

He further cited the major expected benefits of the Muju–Daegu Expressway as follows: industrial and logistics synergies between North Jeolla, Daegu, and North Gyeongsang; improved accessibility for tourism; expanded mobility rights for regions with limited transportation access; and balanced national development.

Attendees voiced a consensus that the preliminary feasibility study should not assess the project solely by traffic volume or economic indicators. Instead, they emphasized a comprehensive evaluation that includes the significance of completing the third east-west national arterial route, the level of regional underdevelopment, and the potential for industrial and logistics connectivity.

This policy seminar, co-hosted by lawmakers from both political sides and attended by local governments and research institutions along the proposed route, served as a foundation for collaboration between the political sphere and local governments in preparation for responding to the feasibility study. As the study is still in progress, a central challenge facing the project will be how to present, with objective data, not only its economic viability but also the anticipated industrial, logistics, and tourism benefits of east-west transportation network integration.

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