Emergency committee meets with lawmaker Jeong Il-young
Residents deliver petition calling for original commercial-use plan
Committee demands release of traffic impact assessment
Board of Audit and Inspection public audit request filed
Residents of Incheon's Songdo International City are mounting growing opposition to plans to build officetels on the C1 and C2 sites in District 7.
They say changes to the development plan threaten their views and quality of life, and are calling for a project review along with greater transparency in the related administrative process.
An emergency residents' committee formed in response to the C1 and C2 officetel construction plan held a meeting Wednesday at the local constituency office of National Assembly lawmaker Jeong Il-young to convey residents' concerns about how the project has been handled.
Residents said that although the district-unit plan had been revised twice during the planning changes, their views had not been adequately reflected in either round of revisions.
They are particularly worried that the shift toward officetel development — a departure from the original plan — will bring high-rise buildings that block views, reduce sunlight and worsen traffic congestion in the area.
The emergency committee delivered a petition to Jeong calling for the project to retain 100 percent commercial use as originally planned. "This project will have a significant impact on the living environment of Songdo residents, so the relevant authorities must do a thorough job of incorporating public input," the committee said.
Residents also called for the results of the traffic and environmental impact assessment to be made public and for authorities to provide a full explanation of the findings, so that residents can verify whether the assessment was conducted properly.
The residents have already filed a public audit request with the Board of Audit and Inspection over the project and have also submitted a complaint to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.
They have additionally raised questions about the outgoing chief executive of Songdo International Complex Development Co., who recently announced his resignation but moved to advance the contractor selection process for the C1 and C2 development before leaving office.
Residents said the circumstances could invite allegations of favoritism or improper ties, and called for rigorous scrutiny of the entire project.
Jeong said he fully understood residents' concerns about views, quality of life and traffic. "I will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that the results of the traffic and environmental impact assessment are disclosed transparently and that residents receive a thorough explanation," he said.
He added that with a public audit request to the Board of Audit and Inspection and a complaint to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission both under way, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and other relevant agencies should exercise greater caution in deciding whether to approve construction permits and proceed with the project. "I will continue to monitor the situation to make sure residents' views are meaningfully reflected throughout the process," he said.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
