On September 17, citizen representatives from Gwacheon gathered at the Sejong Government Complex to demand the withdrawal of housing supply and relocation plans for the Gwacheon Racecourse.
According to the city of Gwacheon, about 20 citizen representatives held a launch ceremony in the lobby of the city hall in the morning, expressing their opposition to the government's unilateral push for housing supply and the relocation of the racecourse, before moving to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Sejong City for a rally.
During the launch ceremony, former Gwacheon City Council Chair Ha Young-joo and former Gwacheon Association Chair Kim Seong-hoon presented a statement on behalf of the citizen representatives.
The representatives stated, "It is unacceptable for the government to promote the racecourse and surrounding areas as large-scale housing supply sites without sufficient consultation with the citizens of Gwacheon," demanding a comprehensive review of the plans.
They particularly emphasized that, with large-scale development projects like the Gwacheon Knowledge Information Town and Gwacheon District ongoing, it is more important to enhance the currently lacking transportation, education, and living infrastructure before pursuing additional housing supply.
The government previously announced plans to supply 9,800 housing units in the area around the Gwacheon Racecourse and the Defense Security Command, with construction expected to begin by December 2029 after the relocation and permitting processes.
In response, the citizen representatives argued that the racecourse has served as a space for relaxation and culture for both Gwacheon residents and those in the metropolitan area, and they oppose its relocation or development for housing supply.
They also pointed out that existing development projects have not delivered the promised transportation and living infrastructure, leading to inconveniences for citizens. They warned that introducing large-scale housing supply could exacerbate traffic congestion and the lack of educational and living infrastructure in Gwacheon.
Citizen representative Kim Hang-sik stated in a separate statement, "Over the past five years, as a representative of residents in the Gwacheon Knowledge Information Town, I repeatedly heard responses like 'it's already decided' and 'there's no choice' while discussing issues with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation."
Kim added, "While the completion of infrastructure, including the Information Town Station, has been delayed, residents continue to move in, causing suffering for citizens as people arrive while facilities lag behind."
He continued, "Even after the government's plan to supply 4,000 housing units on the Gwacheon government site was scrapped due to citizen opposition, new development zones have emerged in Gwacheon Galhyeon-dong. The government must stop changing housing supply sites within Gwacheon."
Kim emphasized, "No one has asked us. Instead of promises to improve infrastructure later, the government must fulfill the commitments already made regarding basic facilities."
During the rally, the citizen representatives planned to present their main demands, which include the withdrawal of housing supply plans without the consent of Gwacheon citizens, the cancellation of the racecourse relocation plan, and the cessation of unilateral housing supply while engaging in discussions with Gwacheon citizens.
After the rally, they also planned to visit the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to deliver a petition outlining the demands of Gwacheon citizens.
The citizen representatives intend to call for a comprehensive review of the large-scale housing supply plans for the racecourse and the Defense Security Command site, and to ensure that the ongoing development projects' transportation, education, and living infrastructure are responsibly completed before any new housing supply.
Additionally, they will urge that sufficient consultation with Gwacheon citizens be conducted before making decisions on major development plans in the city.
Meanwhile, the citizen representatives have stated that they will continue to respond to the government's unilateral policy initiatives and will remain active until their demands are met.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.