The Democratic Party of Korea has pulled out the "early completion of the West Gyeongnam KTX" card to win the South Gyeongsang governor election. The aim is to build the West Gyeongnam KTX (Southern Inland Railway), currently slated for completion in 2031, more quickly to develop the South Coast marine tourism industry.
Democratic Party of Korea South Gyeongsang governor candidate Kim Kyeong-soo said at an on-site Supreme Council meeting held on the passenger ship sailing from Yokjido to Dangpo Port in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang, on the morning of the 22nd, "The West Gyeongnam KTX was to be completed in 2028, but it has been pushed back to 2031," adding, "At a minimum, we will complete it within the terms of the local leaders 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 Seoul metropolitan area, be able to reach major cities via airports and rail, and from major cities to nearby areas via a variety of public transportation, including buses, and we must increase investment to make that possible."
He continued, "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 complete it within our terms so that the day comes sooner when we travel to and from Tongyeong on the West Gyeongnam KTX with the president. We will surely develop it into a 'South Coast global marine tourism complex belt.'"
Kim also called for support for local airports in South Gyeongsang. He said, "When we go to Japan, we do not go to local regions via Tokyo. We use various local airports," adding, "The New Gadeokdo International Airport must be built, and for West Gyeongnam, Sacheon Airport must have international routes."
He added, "South Gyeongsang's economy plunged into negative territory last year. Without innovation, we cannot overcome the province's crisis," adding, "Only by pooling our strength through a megacity and overcoming this together can we overcome South Gyeongsang's falling economic crisis."
Party leader Jung Chung-rae said, "Candidate Kim has led the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang megacity and, as the chair of the Presidential Commission on the Era of Local Autonomy, has presented 'five poles and three special zones,' a core agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration, for national balanced development," adding, "With a capable candidate, we will be able to bear the fruits of national balanced development, and South Gyeongsang must thrive for the Republic of Korea to thrive."