“Restored as soon as I stepped down as Governor… Will address it swiftly”
“How can we buy an apartment in the capital region when one pyeong costs 300 million?”, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, receives a rose shaped like a voting mark from a supporter at Ilsan Culture Park in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, where the overseas voting for the 21st presidential election began on the 20th. Goyang = Reporter Oh Seung-hyun. ‘[Seoul Economic Daily]’
On the 20th, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, visited Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, and stated, “I will quickly handle what I could not finish,” bringing up the ‘free passage policy for the Ilsan Bridge’ that was promoted during his tenure as the governor of Gyeonggi Province.
On this day at the Ilsan Culture Square in Goyang, Gyeonggi, Lee said, “After I made passage over the Ilsan Bridge free as Governor, it was quickly restored once I stepped down,” adding, “If I become President, who will stop me?” He continued, “It’s not about taking something away. If you pay the normal price and both the province and city, and now even the country contribute, the burden on Goyang City will reduce significantly, so don’t worry,” explaining that “2.7 billion won is sufficient.”
Gyeonggi Province, under Lee’s governorship in 2021, had canceled the designation of the operator of the Ilsan Bridge through a public interest decision to make its passage free, but the operating company resisted and filed a lawsuit, halting the process.
Lee asserted, “Why pay there when there are dozens of bridges?” and emphasized, “Goyang citizens pay taxes to build bridges over the Han River, making them free, so why is there a charge only here?” He continued, “From the President’s perspective, the Ilsan Bridge may be just one of many bridges, but considering the monthly 2,600 won toll for using it every day, isn’t that a significant amount?” He promised, “I’ll handle it decisively in the shortest time possible.”
On the same day, Lee focused on a campaign in the northern Gyeonggi areas near the border, emphasizing, “Peace is the economy.” He said, “The northern part of Gyeonggi is subject to various regulations due to its proximity to the demilitarized zone, but I will significantly ease these regulations, build a peace regime, and engage in dialogue with North Korea. Isn’t the economy stronger as the demilitarized zone becomes safer?”
He also emphasized balanced regional development, stating, “Even if we invest more in local areas, it is the path to prosperity for the entire country in the long term.” Lee noted, “You might feel budget constraints in northern Gyeonggi compared to the south, but in Jeolla, Gangwon, and Chungcheong, there are far more difficult situations than yours.”
He added, “Here, they spend 7 trillion won for even just one GTX line, while in rural areas, towns decline for lack of 500 to 1,000 billion won. How can you live in the future when an apartment in the capital region costs 300 million won per pyeong? Now, we must transform the country into one where the whole nation enjoys equal opportunities to ensure sustained growth.”