Gwacheon Mayor and Citizens' Representatives Call for Withdrawal of Horse Racing Park Housing Supply Plan and Reconsideration of Justice Ministry Relocation

Gwacheon City has been consistently demanding the government's withdrawal of its plan to supply housing on the horse racing park and Army Counterintelligence Command sites and reconsideration of the Justice Ministry relocation.

On the 30th, Mayor Shin Gye-yong of Gwacheon City held a one-person protest in front of the Blue House, while Kim Hang-sik, a representative of Gwacheon citizens, held a one-person protest in front of the Prime Minister's Official Residence. In the one-person protests, they made clear their opposition to the relocation of central government agencies and large-scale housing supply plans without citizens' consent.

Mayor Shin Gye-yong stated, "It is unacceptable to push forward policies that have significant impacts on Gwacheon's future without sufficiently hearing citizens' opinions," and emphasized, "The government must devise substantial measures to ensure that balanced development policies do not lead to imbalances in existing regions."

During the protest, Gwacheon City attempted to symbolically arrange seating and tables to allow government officials and Gwacheon citizens to sit face-to-face, but the plan was thwarted due to restrictions imposed by on-site officials, the city announced.

Gwacheon City previously held two press conferences in September demanding the withdrawal of the plan to supply 9,800 housing units on the horse racing park and Army Counterintelligence Command sites and reconsideration of the Justice Ministry relocation, and has been continuing one-person protests involving the mayor and citizens since October 8th.

Gwacheon City plans to continue demanding sustained consultations and countermeasures from the government together with citizens, and will respond to ensure that local opinions are reflected in policy decisions.