Kim Nam-won, Incheon Seo-gu Council Member: "Incheon Circular Line 3 is the core of the internal circulation network... The financial crisis from the division must be addressed by Incheon City"

As the long-awaited project of Incheon Seo-gu, the prompt advancement of the 'Incheon Circular Line 3' and the serious financial deficit arising ahead of the separation of Seo-gu and Geomdan-gu have led to calls for full support from Incheon City.

Kim Nam-won, a member of the Incheon Seo-gu Council (Democratic Party, Cheongna 3, Dangha, Oryu-wang-gil, Majon-dong), focused on the expansion plan of the rail traffic network and the financial soundness issues arising from the district separation during the major work report at the 278th temporary session held on the 3rd.

In the report on the 'expansion of the comprehensive rail traffic network', Kim checked the progress of the Incheon Circular Line 3. He emphasized, "After the approval of the urban rail network construction plan in 2026, preliminary feasibility studies and other processes must proceed without delay, and the third circular line connecting Songdo, Cheongna, and Geomdan New Town is as important as the metropolitan rail network in connecting Incheon internally."

In response, a district official stated, "With 9 stations included in Seo-gu, transportation convenience will be dramatically improved," and added, "If the construction plan is approved in the first half of this year, we will start construction after 2027 and aim for completion in the mid-2030s with a sense of urgency."

During the subsequent inquiry from the Budget and Legal Affairs Department, Kim expressed strong concerns regarding the financial crisis situation in Seo-gu reported in the media recently. He questioned, "In a situation where even civil servant salaries cannot be fully allocated for a year due to tight finances, we have to divide the large budget for the district separation. Currently, the essential expenses that Seo-gu has not secured amount to 123.3 billion won; what measures are in place?"

In particular, Kim reminded that the 'administrative system reform (district separation)', one of the fundamental causes of this financial crisis, is a promise made by the Incheon Mayor. He stated, "It is contradictory that the financial crisis in Seo-gu, caused by the district separation promoted as a mayoral promise, is not being addressed by Incheon City," and urged, "The district office must raise its voice more strongly to secure financial support at the metropolitan level."

Additionally, Kim criticized that major development projects such as the Cheongna International Financial District are flowing primarily towards officetel developments, contrary to their original purpose, and that the Seo-gu Office's 'strengthening of consultation rights' should not remain at a theoretical level. He added, "To ensure that the residents' wishes are reflected, communication channels with related agencies such as Incheon City and the Economic Agency must be continuously operated, and specific work plans must be established."

A district official stated, "We are continuously requesting financial support from Incheon City and will do our best to ensure that residents' opinions are reflected in the development project consultation process."