Kim Tae-gye, Chair of the Welfare Construction Committee: “Is the installation of smart traffic lights for children discriminatory?… Parents of neglected schools are voicing their complaints”

Incheon Michuhol District's introduction of smart traffic lights for children's safety has led to a surge of complaints from parents of elementary schools excluded from the installation, as the lights are being installed primarily at specific schools. Additionally, criticism has been raised regarding the district office's 'rubber band administration' after a bus shelter, previously deemed impossible to install due to administrative procedures, was suddenly erected following a specific complaint.

On the 29th, Kim Tae-gye, Chair of the Welfare Construction Committee of Incheon Michuhol Council (People Power Party, Sungui 1-4, Yonghyeon 1-4, Hakik 2-dong), focused on the issues of equity in the management of child protection zone (school zone) facilities and the credibility of administration during a departmental work report.

Chair Kim first pointed out the issue of the biased installation of smart traffic lights (ground-type traffic lights). He stated, “The smart traffic lights, which were initially promised to be installed primarily at elementary schools, are absent from the schools that actually need them, and there are cases where they have been installed in places that are not schools,” adding, “As a result, parents from areas where the lights have not been installed are suffering from intense protests asking, ‘What on earth is the district council member doing?’”

Chair Kim urged, “Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the installation status across all elementary schools and establish a uniform installation plan to ensure that no area is left out,” and emphasized, “Equitable administration that all residents in the 21 districts can accept is necessary.”

Criticism also followed regarding the poor post-management of safety facilities. Chair Kim remarked, “There are instances where some elderly individuals arbitrarily remove the no-crossing zones in the middle of the road,” and urged, “If this is left unattended and an accident occurs, the responsibility will become unclear, so thoroughly inspect the status of the no-crossing zones throughout the district.”

In particular, Chair Kim strongly criticized the district office's dual attitude revealed during the bus shelter installation process. He stated, “When resident complaints were conveyed, the response was that ‘installation is absolutely impossible due to legal reasons such as wheelchair access for the disabled,’ yet as soon as a specific individual lodged a complaint, the shelter was erected,” and called it “an act that disregards the legitimate legislative activities of the district council member and deceives resident communication.”

He continued, “Such biased decisions must not be repeated in the upcoming replacement and new installation projects for 10 old shelters,” and warned, “Thoroughly assess based on the field and proceed with the projects cautiously.”

A district official responded, “There were budgetary limitations such as matching funds, but we will review the equity of the pointed-out issues and strive to enhance facility inspections and communication.”