Kim Tae-gye Welfare Construction Committee Chair: "Are We Discriminating Against the Installation of Smart Traffic Lights for Children? Parents of Excluded Schools Are Voicing Their Complaints"

Incheon Michuhol District's introduction of smart traffic lights for children's safety has led to complaints from parents of elementary schools that were 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, which was previously deemed impossible to install due to administrative procedures, was suddenly installed following a specific complaint.

On the 29th, Kim Tae-gye, Chair of the Welfare Construction Committee of Incheon Michuhol District Council (People Power Party, Sungui 1-4, Yonghyeon 1-4, Hakik 2-dong), focused on the issues of equity in the management of facilities in children's protection zones (school zones) and the credibility of the administration during the 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 not present at the schools that actually need them, and there are cases where they have been installed in places that are not schools. As a result, parents from areas where the lights have not been installed are expressing strong complaints, asking, 'What is our 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 areas are left out. We need equitable administration that all residents in the 21 districts can understand and accept."

Criticism also followed regarding the poor post-management of safety facilities. Chair Kim remarked, "There are cases where some elderly individuals have arbitrarily removed the no-crossing zones in the middle of the road. If we leave this 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 said, "When we conveyed residents' complaints, we were told that 'it is absolutely impossible to install due to legal reasons such as wheelchair access for the disabled,' but as soon as a specific individual submitted a complaint, the shelter was installed. This is an act that disregards the legitimate legislative activities of the district council member and deceives resident communication."

He continued, "In the future, we must not allow such biased decisions to be repeated in the replacement and new installation projects for 10 aging shelters that will be promoted. We must carefully assess the situation on the ground 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."