The Only Green Space in Our Neighbourhood... Bupyeong Baegun Park Suffers from GTX-B Ventilation Shaft Construction

The construction of the ventilation shaft for the GTX-B (Great Train Express) line has begun at Bupyeong Baegun Park in Incheon, which has become a melting pot of conflict. Residents are fiercely opposing the "unilateral site change without prior notice," while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is concerned about "project delays" and is standing firm.

On the 29th, the GTX-B private section ventilation shaft construction, managed by a Daewoo Construction consortium, is underway at Baegun Park in Sijung-dong, Bupyeong. However, in the middle of the park, residents are continuing their tent protests demanding a halt to the construction.

The spark of conflict was the 'reversed location'. Residents claim that during the initial residents' briefing, Sijung District 3 was indicated as the site for the ventilation shaft, but the actual construction was carried out at Baegun Park without any notification. Hwang Eun-cheol, the chairman of the Hillstate Bupyeong Residents' Representative Council, raised his voice, stating, "They are infringing on residents' rights while damaging the only green space in the area," and insisted, "Given the clear procedural flaws, the construction should be halted and re-evaluated from the beginning."

Currently, residents have formed a group tentatively named 'Residents' Council Against the Ventilation Shaft Facility' to respond. On the 27th, they strongly demanded the cancellation of permits from Bupyeong District Mayor Cha Jun-taek.

The residents' concerns are not just about the procedures. As construction progresses, trees in the park are being cut down, and dust and noise are being generated. In particular, the construction site is adjacent to the commuting route of nearby students, raising safety issues.

The People Power Party Bupyeong Gap Committee also sided with the residents. In a statement on the 30th, the committee questioned, "Is it really just administrative to install a ventilation shaft that could threaten the safety of residents and children in the middle of the park?" Party committee chairman Yoo Je-hong urged immediate relocation, stating, "There is no reason to proceed with construction at the expense of damaging the park."

On the other hand, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's stance is firm. They explained that Sijung District 3 was only one of several proposals during the environmental impact assessment, and that it was ultimately confirmed to be Baegun Park after going through a change of use procedure. They made it clear that since the final plan change is a 'change consultation' process, there is no obligation for a separate residents' briefing.

A Ministry official expressed concern, stating, "The design has already been completed and construction has begun, making it difficult to find an alternative site," and warned that if discussions are prolonged, the opening date could be delayed by 2 to 3 years from the original 2031 due to redesign and permit procedures.

The Bupyeong District side stated, "We are listening carefully to concerns through civil complaints and resident interviews," and have begun reviewing various options, but the conflict surrounding Baegun Park is expected to continue for the time being as the two values of 'guaranteeing residents' rights' and 'completing national projects' clash.