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

The construction of the ventilation shaft for the GTX-B line of the metropolitan express railway has begun at Bupyeong Baegun Park in Incheon, which has become a melting pot of conflict. Residents are strongly opposing the "unilateral site change without prior notice," while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is concerned about "project delays" and is in a standoff.

On the 29th, the construction of the GTX-B private section ventilation shaft, 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 protest 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 Hills State 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 action 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 just one of several proposals during the environmental impact assessment, and after going through the land use change process, it was ultimately confirmed at Baegun Park. 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 alternative sites," 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 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.