Urgent Proposal "For Pyeongwon Port in Western Pyeongtek: Building Regional Hub Transport Networks is Key Over Broad Transit Networks"

[News S= Senior Reporter Kim Jong-sik] A claim has emerged that once the residential development district and port hinterland facilities currently underway in western Pyeongtek, where Pyeongtek Port is located, are completed along with road networks, the area will become disconnected from the central southern region and develop competitively.

Choi Won-yong, Representative of the Democratic Party's Pyeongtek Future Research Institute, made this claim on the afternoon of December 4th at the 'Opening Pyeongtek's Future with Pyeongtek Port' forum held on the 3rd floor of the Pyeongtek Public Interest Activity Support Center, hosted by the Pyeongtek-Dangjin Port Development Council, Pyeongtek Port Workers' Union, and Pyeongtek Port Research Institute. He emphasized that since Pyeongtek is located between Seoul and Sejong City, the administrative capital, priority must be given to forming a self-sufficient city where residential areas and workplaces coexist for development.

Regarding broad transit networks, he noted that these will soon be resolved through the connection of KTX service at Jeoje Station and expansion of rail networks and metropolitan bus routes. However, he emphasized that the key is building transport networks connecting major hubs, such as National Route 38, which links the southern and western regions of Pyeongtek.

In western Pyeongtek, there are plans for KTX service at Anjung Station and a 5-million-pyeong port hinterland facility are under development, and he expressed confidence that if residential development districts such as Hwayang District settle in well, the area will change dramatically within ten years.

He also stated that while Pyeongtek Port, as a national port, has limited local government authority, it should leverage its urban planning authority and work together with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to develop the port with a comprehensive vision and strategic rationale for activating Pyeongtek Port.

Regarding differing opinions on utilizing the old passenger terminal area of Pyeongtek Port (20,000 pyeong) as waterfront space, he said it would be desirable for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to prepare measures such as proposing alternative sites for waterfront parks in other areas.

The forum was moderated by Professor Moon Sang-young of Hankyong National University, with Professor Hong Sang-tae of Pyeongtek University, Chairman Heo Gil of the Pyeongtek-Dangjin Port Development Council, Chairman Choi Sung-il of the Pyeongtek Port Research Association, Chairman Kim Dae-sik of the Pyeongtek Port Workers' Union, and Representative Kim Ki-soo of Pyeongtek Citizens' Newspaper participating as discussants.

They engaged in various discussions including Pyeongtek City's urgent request for expansion of National Route 38, construction of Pyeongtek ring roads, expansion of residential areas and nature-friendly port development, consultation with port workers and businesses on port-related matters, inadequate roles of Pyeongtek City related to port development, and ways to utilize nearby U.S. military base installations for tourism resources.