Scrapping of highway project over political bickering draws public criticism

Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Choi In-ho, center, speaks about the cancellation of an expressway construction project connecting Seoul and Yangpyeong County, during a press conference at the National Assembly, Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

Land Minister Won Hee-ryong / Yonhap

Criticism is mounting over rival parties' politically motivated moves that resulted in the cancellation of an expressway construction project connecting Seoul and Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. The main opposition party has argued that such a project would have given financial benefits to first lady Kim Keon Hee's family.

Despite the strong public outcry due to the main political parties trying to score political points instead of prioritizing the public good, politicians have gone on to continue to blame each other, exchanging sharp comments over accountability.

Land Minister Won Hee-ryong said Friday that the scrapping of the expressway project was his discretion, done in order to end the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) trying to “frame it to vilify first lady Kim.”

“It is nothing more than the DPK's framing of the issue so as to tarnish the first lady in order to negatively impact President Yoon Suk Yeol,” Won said during a radio interview with broadcaster CBS. “The DPK is now obsessed with its campaign to vilify Kim until the end of the Yoon presidency.”

Won continued that “it is better for the country and the public that I take the full responsibility to end this speculation,” adding, “I apologize to the residents of Yangpyeong, but I hope you can bear with it for a little longer.”

A day earlier, Won announced that the government decided to scrap the expressway project, saying “national resources are wasted as long as the DPK's instigation stance continues.” The DPK has been arguing that the project, initially proposed in 2017, was revised under the Yoon administration to have the expressway's endpoint location be close to land owned by Kim's family.

Yangpyeong and nearby residents have been demanding the expressway since 2008 in order to address extreme traffic congestion. The project managed to pass its feasibility study two years ago after heated debates. Following the controversy, however, the government scrapped the entire project, rather than reviewing it.

“I will take full responsibility, and I will put my entire political career and ministerial post on the line, and DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung should bet the party's full reputation,” Won said during the announcement.

DPK lawmakers held a press conference on Friday and slammed the decision.

“This issue can be addressed when the ruling bloc reveals the fact and what exactly is there to fear in revealing the truth and canceling a project worth 1.8 trillion won with just a single statement from the minister?” DPK lawmakers said in a statement.

“Since Won said he will bet his ministerial post and political career, he should take responsibility for his remarks,” DPK Rep. Han Jun-ho said. “There must plenty of reasons why he is trying to cover up this issue by making a political move.”

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) also criticized the DPK for raising suspicions. PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok said he “understands that the decision stemmed from repeated fake news and political offensives.” Rep. Park Dae-chul said people of Yangpyeong are suffering due to the “DPK's irresponsible speculation” and the opposition party should “take full responsibility.”

Yangpyeong Mayor Jeon Jin-seon speaks during a press conference at the county's office in Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Yonhap

While politicians criticize each other, the residents of Yangpyeong are angered and at their wits' end.

“The reality of the long-awaited expressway being canceled right before its construction shows exactly the level of politics in this country,” an internet user surnamed Lee wrote on the bulletin board of Yangpyeong County's official website.

Yangpyeong Mayor Jeon Jin-seon expressed regret and requested the ministry withdraw the decision.

“The long-awaited project which has been pursued for more than 20 years has to be started again from scratch, causing damage to Yangpyeong County,” Jeon said. “The project was scrapped due to the fake controversies caused by people who don't know the situation of the region.”