Suwon Concludes Implementation Agreement for North Suwon Private Road

Suwon City concluded a private investment project implementation agreement with Suwon Circulation Road Co., Ltd. on the 7th to open the North Suwon Outer Ring Northern Road (hereinafter, North Suwon Private Road).

The city stated that the North Suwon Private Road is a metropolitan traffic improvement project decided by the 'Metropolitan Area Traffic Committee' in 2007, and was confirmed through an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection last year as having 'no substantial interest in discussing procedural defects,' with the audit concluded in September of last year.

Despite remaining opposition petitions, the city announced it determined that it could no longer delay the agreement signing due to continued adverse effects over the past 10 years, including damage to private property caused by delays in urban planning facility determinations (modifications), petitions urging early opening of the private road, and increases in land prices and project costs resulting from project delays.

The city plans to complete administrative procedures such as urban management plan determinations (modifications) and approval of implementation plans by the second half of next year, commence construction in 2016, and complete the project by 2018.

In addition, the city announced its policy to promote the project with maximum transparency by involving citizens' organizations, residents' representatives, and experts from related fields—collectively constituting the 'Suwon Outer Ring Road Residents' Council'—in all administrative matters starting from project design.

This means the city will exclude the North Suwon Private Road Joint Countermeasures Committee (hereinafter, Joint Committee), which had been the existing channel for consultations and dialogue, raising expectations of conflict.

Various organizations belonging to the Joint Committee, including the Suwon Citizens' Organizations Council, Environmental Movement Center, Korea Environmental Movement Association, Suwon Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, and Gwanggyo Wellbeing Town Federation, stated they plan to finalize their response measures by the end of this month after respective discussions.

Yoon Eun-sang, Secretary General of Suwon Environmental Movement Association, stated, "The Board of Audit and Inspection audit conducted during the fifth local government term only addressed the validity of procedures and did not at all examine the most important matter—the appropriateness of the project itself."

Secretary General Yoon further remarked, "Upon hearing the Suwon City's sudden announcement, I feel as though I've been blindsided," adding, "The city is employing improper tactics by holding meetings with residents in certain areas and using mechanical interpretation to induce and implant support among residents."