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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Ruling party candidate accused of false subway promise

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A South Korean opposition party claims a ruling party candidate made false campaign promises regarding a subway extension.
  • The candidate, a former minister, stated he had already secured agreements for the extension, but government agencies and the development corporation deny any such talks.
  • The controversy highlights concerns about accountability and the use of public projects for electoral gain during the general election.

A political dispute has erupted in South Korea over campaign promises made by a candidate for the upcoming general election. Won Hee-ryong, running for the People Power Party in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul constituency, is facing accusations of making false claims about extending Seoul's subway Line 9 to the Gyeyang Technovalley.

We have confirmed the results of internal LH reviews and meetings between the LH president and the Bucheon Daejang Development Headquarters, but there are no confirmed matters regarding the extension of Seoul's Line 9 to Gyeyang Technovalley.

— Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and TransportResponding to inquiries about the subway extension project.

During campaign events and a televised debate, Won, a former Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, stated that the subway extension was his top pledge and that he had already secured agreements with the relevant ministry. He suggested that the project could be funded by profits from the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and claimed to have held multiple meetings with LH officials.

However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and LH have denied any such discussions or agreements. According to responses obtained by Rep. Huh Jong-sik of the Democratic Party, the ministry stated there were no confirmed details regarding the extension, and LH confirmed no agreement had been reached with Won. Furthermore, a study commissioned by LH on transportation solutions for the Gyeyang and Bucheon areas is not scheduled for completion until June 2027, casting further doubt on Won's timeline for a 2025 construction start.

We have comprehensively reviewed various alternatives for introducing railway access to Gyeyang New City, but no agreement has been reached with former Minister Won Hee-ryong.

— LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation)Denying any agreement with the candidate on the subway extension.

Rep. Huh criticized Won's statements as irresponsible, especially given his former ministerial position. He urged an end to the "bad politics" of making false promises for electoral gain by exploiting public projects without proper consultation with relevant agencies. The controversy underscores the intense political maneuvering and scrutiny surrounding campaign pledges in the lead-up to the general election.

Former Minister Won Hee-ryong's irresponsible behavior in the debate, making false promises by exploiting citizens' long-cherished wishes without consulting relevant agencies, has only now been revealed.

— Huh Jong-sikA Democratic Party lawmaker criticizing Won's campaign promises.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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