Hapcheon County, Council Visit National Assembly to Seek State Funding for 8 Regional Projects

County Governor Kim Yuncheol and Council Chair Shin Myeonggi visit National Assembly member Shin Seongbeom's office
Call for South Inland Railway station-area development, improvements to National Route 24, and expressway construction
Seek support for attracting the Odosan pumped-storage power plant and securing National Geopark status for the meteorite crater

Hapcheon County in South Gyeongsang Province and the Hapcheon County Council jointly visited the National Assembly to seek the inclusion of major regional projects in national plans and secure state funding.

The county said that on November 10, County Governor Kim Yuncheol, Hapcheon County Council Chair Shin Myeonggi, and 10 other county council members visited the office of National Assembly member Shin Seongbeom to request policy and financial support for eight major projects aimed at regional development and improving residents' living conditions.

The visit followed a trip to central government agencies on August 31. The county executive and county council arranged the visit to explain the need for the major projects to the National Assembly and request their inclusion in the government budget and national plans.

[Photo provided by Hapcheon County] Hapcheon County Mayor Kim Yuncheol, County Council Chairman Shin Myeonggi, and other council members visit the office of National Assembly member Shin Seongbeom on the 10th to request support for eight key regional projects, including developing the area around Hapcheon Station on the Southern Inland Railway and improving National Route 24.

The eight projects jointly proposed by the county and the county council were: establishing a Regional Vitality Town around Hapcheon Station on the South Inland Railway; building a tunnel at Maryeongjae on National Route 24; constructing the Jincheon-Hapcheon Expressway; attracting the Odosan pumped-storage power plant; securing National Geopark status for the Hapcheon Meteorite Crater; building a memorial facility for atomic bomb victims; constructing a road on the Yonggye-Deogam section of National Route 24; and rebuilding the bridge at Angum 1 in Daeyang-myeon.

◆ Calls for development linked to the South Inland Railway and expansion of the regional transport network

As a regional development project linked to construction of the South Inland Railway, Hapcheon County requested that the "Hapcheon Station Area Regional Vitality Town Project" be included in the second Regional Development Plan.

The project envisions creating a multi-purpose hub with residential, cultural, and welfare functions around Hapcheon Station in preparation for the railway's future opening.

The county said the project is needed to improve settlement conditions for people moving to rural areas and young people, and to connect rail passengers with local communities.

The county also requested cooperation to include the Maryeongjae Tunnel Project on National Route 24 in the "Eighth Basic Plan for Improving Hazardous Roads and Bottleneck Points on National Roads."

The Maryeongjae section presents difficulties for traffic because of steep slopes and winter icing. The county said a tunnel is needed to improve road safety and traffic conditions.

The county also called for the Jincheon-Hapcheon section of the North-South Axis 6 Expressway to be included in the "Third Expressway Construction Plan" and for construction to begin early. It stressed that expanding the regional transport network could improve access between regions and support freight transport and industrial activity.

The county also requested support for including the road construction and route realignment project on the Yonggye-Deogam section of National Route 24 in the "Seventh National Road and National Local Road Construction Plan."

The section has been cited for traffic difficulties due to steep slopes, sharp curves, and winter icing. The county plans to improve access between the central and northern parts of the region by improving the road alignment.

◆ Calls for the Odosan pumped-storage power plant and the meteorite crater to be included in national plans

Hapcheon County also called for National Assembly-level cooperation to attract the Odosan pumped-storage power plant and secure National Geopark status for the Hapcheon Meteorite Crater.

The Odosan pumped-storage power plant is a project related to expanding the region's energy industry base. The county is exploring ways to link the power plant to regional economic development.

In particular, the county explained the potential to cluster power generation facilities in conjunction with existing pumped-storage projects and requested policy support needed to attract the Odosan pumped-storage power plant.

However, efforts to attract the Odosan pumped-storage power plant are still at the proposal stage; neither project selection nor construction has been confirmed. Regarding the Hapcheon Meteorite Crater, the county requested cooperation to ensure that the National Geopark certification process proceeds smoothly.

The county plans to pursue National Geopark status by drawing on the meteorite crater's geological features and academic and educational value, and to consider seeking UNESCO Global Geopark status in the long term.

To this end, the county called for attention and cooperation with follow-up procedures, including deliberation by the relevant committee.

◆ Calls for support for a memorial facility for atomic bomb victims and repairs to an aging bridge

Hapcheon County also requested state funding for the "Memorial Facility for Atomic Bomb Victims Project," which aims to honor the sacrifice of Korean atomic bomb victims and promote the values of peace and human rights.

The county explained the need to build the facility and requested full state funding to ensure the project proceeds smoothly. It also requested special local allocation tax support for rebuilding the bridge at Angum 1 in Daeyang-myeon.

Angum 1 Bridge needs improvements to its structural safety and traffic conditions due to aging. The county plans to rebuild it to ensure residents' safety and ease traffic difficulties for agricultural vehicles and other traffic.

The eight projects proposed on this occasion require different procedures, including inclusion in national plans, project selection, and budget allocation. Whether they proceed will be determined following consultations with relevant ministries and subsequent administrative procedures.

Hapcheon County Council Chair Shin Myeonggi said, "The county executive and the council need to work together to resolve regional issues and improve residents' living conditions. We will continue to convey our views to the National Assembly and relevant ministries so these major projects can move forward."

Hapcheon County Governor Kim Yuncheol said, "It is important to lay the groundwork for regional development in preparation for the South Inland Railway and the expansion of the regional transport network. We will continue consultations with political leaders and relevant institutions to have these major projects included in national plans and the government budget."

Following the visit to the National Assembly, the county plans to work with the county council to review progress on the major projects and continue follow-up requests to ensure regional issues are reflected in the government budget and the development of national plans.

For Hapcheon County's major regional projects to deliver tangible results, it will be necessary to continue monitoring whether they are included in national plans and receive state funding, and to develop specific priorities and financing plans for each project.

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