Welcome Gyeonggi-Incheon Canal Public Conversion... Urges Prompt Implementation

Governor Kim Moon-soo of Gyeonggi Province released a statement on the 12th regarding the Gyeonggi-Incheon Canal, expressing welcome for the government's decision to convert the project into a public project.

Governor Kim stated that "the Gyeonggi-Incheon Canal project is an effective way to resolve chronic flooding damage for 1.5 million residents in the Han River basin in the province and Incheon region," and added that "it can become a Korean-style New Deal policy capable of overcoming economic recession and creating 30,000 new jobs."

He further noted that "the Gyeonggi-Incheon Canal can resolve logistics issues in the Seoul metropolitan area and serve as an opportunity to revitalize the tourism industry," and demanded the project's prompt resumption, stating "the Gyeonggi-Incheon Canal has already verified its feasibility, so there is no reason to delay further."

Meanwhile, the project, a major waterway construction spanning 18 kilometers in total length and 80 meters in width, passing through Gaewhwa-dong in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Bucheon, and Sicheon-dong in Seo-gu, Incheon, was selected as a private investment project in 1995 and was promoted, but was suspended in 2003 due to opposition from environmental groups.