Mayor-elect Min calls for renegotiation of Honam Expressway cost-sharing

A dispute over cost-sharing for the Honam Expressway expansion between Dong-Gwangju IC and Gwangsan IC is raising concerns. The project, with a total budget of about 800 billion won ($521 million), aims to widen the 11.2-kilometer stretch from four lanes to six or eight lanes.

Min Hyeong-bae, mayor-elect of the incoming Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Integrated City, cited the expressway expansion's cost-sharing structure as one of three major fiscal burdens facing the new city government. He raised the issue Monday at a work-sharing meeting for incoming local government heads held at the Bitgaram Cultural Complex in Naju, South Jeolla Province.

"The project cost the special city would have to bear amounts to around 400 billion won," Min said. "We need to think carefully about whether to prioritize this project, and I have already submitted a proposal to the central government requesting a renegotiation of the cost-sharing ratio."

The central government, Korea Expressway Corporation and Gwangju are splitting the project cost equally. Construction began in September last year, with a completion target of 2029.

Shin Su-jeong, mayor-elect of Gwangju's Buk-gu district, pushed back against any reconsideration. "This project is a 30-year-old wish of Buk-gu residents," she said. "Since Gwangju made a commitment to its citizens and has already broken ground, it must proceed without disruption." She added that the fiscal challenges facing the integrated special city were a problem for the central government and Korea Expressway Corporation to solve together, and that financial concerns should not be allowed to undermine the project itself.

National Assembly member Jeon Jin-suk of Gwangju Buk-gu B district also delivered a written proposal to Min that day, urging him to press ahead with the project.

"The project should not be judged on budgetary efficiency or political calculations — it is a livelihood infrastructure project meant to relieve the traffic congestion and delays that residents endure," Jeon said. She noted that Gwangju held a public hearing last year and pledged to carry out the project without suspension or delay. "Now that construction has already begun, I hope the project does not face further setbacks or slowdowns over budget issues," she said.