The Democratic Party of Korea has pulled out the card of "early completion of the West Gyeongnam KTX" to win the South Gyeongsang governor election. The idea is to build the West Gyeongnam KTX (Southern Inland Railway), currently slated for completion in 2031, faster to develop the South Coast marine tourism industry.
Democratic Party of Korea South Gyeongsang governor candidate Kim Kyeong-soo said at a field Supreme Council meeting held on the morning of the 22nd aboard a passenger ship sailing from Yokjido to Dangpo Port in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, "The completion date for the West Gyeongnam KTX was 2028, but it was pushed back to 2031," adding, "At the very least, we will complete it within the terms of the local government heads elected in this local election."
Kim said, "President Lee Jae-myung talked about an 'era of 30 million overseas tourists,' but that will be hard to achieve without solving regional transportation issues," adding, "In particular, regions must, like the greater Seoul area, be able to reach major cities via airports and rail, and from those major cities invest more so people can travel to nearby areas using diverse public transit, including buses."
He went on, "President Lee also pledged (early completion) of the West Gyeongnam KTX," adding, "Democratic Party of Korea Tongyeong mayoral candidate Kang Seok-ju and I will also ensure completion within our terms so that we can move up the day we travel to and from Tongyeong on the West Gyeongnam KTX with President Lee. We will surely develop it into a 'South Coast global marine tourism complex belt.'"
Kim also called for support for regional airports in South Gyeongsang. He said, "When we go to Japan, we do not go to local areas through Tokyo. We use various regional airports," adding, "Gadeokdo New Airport must be built, and in western South Gyeongsang, Sacheon Airport must open international routes."
He added, "South Gyeongsang's economy plunged into negative territory last year. Without innovation, we cannot overcome South Gyeongsang's crisis," and said, "Only by joining forces through a megacity can we overcome South Gyeongsang's plunging economic crisis."
Party leader Jung Chung-rae said, "Candidate Kim is the person who led the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang megacity and, as the presidential committee chair on the Era of Local Autonomy, proposed 'five poles and three specials,' a core agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration for balanced national development," adding, "With a capable candidate, we will be able to bear the fruit of balanced national development, and South Gyeongsang must thrive for the Republic of Korea to thrive."