GIMPO — Marking his 100th day in office, Gimpo Mayor Lee Ki-hyung declared a drive to restore major city projects left idle amid political conflict. He said the city will move up the groundbreaking for the extension of Seoul Subway Line 5 well ahead of the original target of the first half of 2031, and will issue a minimum amount of municipal bonds if necessary to restart stalled infrastructure projects despite the city's deteriorating finances.
At a news conference at Gimpo City Hall on the 6th marking 100 days since the start of his term, Lee said he would "cut through the tangle created over several years by political calculations and route disputes," and laid out priorities including expanding the metropolitan transport network, restoring neglected infrastructure, and strengthening livelihoods and the city's self-sufficiency.
On the Line 5 extension, the city's most pressing issue, and the route dispute with Incheon over its demand for additional stations, Lee said strict compliance with the mediation plan from the Metropolitan Transport Commission is the basic principle. "Even where the agreed terms are unfavorable to Gimpo, such as relocating the construction waste facility, we will carry out our commitments responsibly and take the initiative in the negotiations," he said.
"We will significantly shorten the procedures for drawing up the basic plan and the implementation plan, and pull the groundbreaking target set for the first half of 2031 as far forward as possible," he added.
To ease traffic congestion until the rail line opens, the city will apply a principle of putting transit in place before residents move in. Express chartered buses will be deployed to connect with nearby hubs including the KINTEX station on the Great Train Express (GTX), and on the Gimpo Goldline, the city will finish adding trains and cutting headways to about two minutes by early next year as part of stronger safety measures.
On the city's finances, Lee said issuing municipal bonds is unavoidable. "Spending is growing at around 3% while revenue is rising only 1%, and we have already drawn down various funds," he said. "We will issue a minimum amount of municipal bonds to complete essential projects such as the comprehensive sports town and cultural and arts facilities."
Regarding the recent alleged embezzlement case at Gimpo FC, he said an inspection by the city's audit office concluded on the 30th of last month. "After the middle of this month, we will disclose our analysis of the causes and measures to prevent a recurrence," he said. On the club's future, he said, "We will consult the city council and civic groups and decide with every option open, including liquidation or keeping the club."
The city will also expand policies aimed at stabilizing household livelihoods. The issuance cap for Gimpo Pay, the local currency, will be raised to 2.5 times the previous level, above the twofold increase originally pledged, and outdoor dining at restaurants around the Laveniche and Geumbit waterway area will be legalized to develop the district into a waterfront landmark.
Administrative support will be concentrated on building the 700-bed Inha University medical campus to get the project back on track, and a designated after-hours pediatric clinic under the government's "Moonlight Children's Hospital" program and an emergency medical center will be operated around the clock in tandem. The city also plans to complete the suspended Janggi-dong youth culture complex ahead of schedule within Lee's term and to break ground quickly on the 1,000-seat Gimpo Arts Center.
"Pledges should be judged by results, not words," Lee said. "I will devote everything to a city government that changes residents' lives."
