Former Namyangju Vice Mayor Choi Hyun-deok Stages One-Person Picket in Front of Seoul Metro

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Former Namyangju Vice Mayor Choi Hyun-deok staged a one-person picket on the 16th in front of the main gate of Seoul Metro headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, demanding immediate withdrawal of Seoul Metro's plan to reduce train compositions on Line 8 Byeolnae branch.

Despite consecutive days of cold weather, former Vice Mayor Choi stated: "Seoul City and Seoul Metro are attempting to reduce and transfer three regular trains departing from Byeolnae Station starting in January next year to depart from Amsa Station solely for the transportation convenience of Seoul residents," and added "This is a dismissive act toward us residents of Gyeonggi Province including Namyangju and Guri, and must be immediately withdrawn," explaining the reason for the one-person protest.

Former Vice Mayor Choi further stated: "Line 8 Byeolnae branch does not belong solely to Seoul City. During the construction process, Gyeonggi Province and Namyangju City already paid their share of costs, and Namyangju City is still bearing the operational costs of stations such as Byeolnae Station and Dasan Station. Reducing train compositions departing from Byeolnae Station under the mere pretext of convenience for Seoul residents is nothing short of a mockery of Namyangju citizens," and raised his voice, saying "I firmly oppose this and demand immediate cancellation."

Additionally, former Vice Mayor Choi stated: "If Seoul City and Seoul Metro proceed with the reduction of Byeolnae branch train compositions by ignoring the demands of our Namyangju citizens, residents of our Namyangju area will continue protest rallies, petition drives, and other activities in cooperation with civic organizations." He emphasized: "I urge Namyangju Mayor Ju Kwang-deok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to actively step forward to resolve the issue swiftly before the situation worsens."

Meanwhile, former Namyangju Vice Mayor Choi Hyun-deok passed the 36th Civil Service Examination and has held major positions across the central government, international organizations, and local governments including director of the Policy Planning Committee under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, director of Organizational Planning at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and ministerial secretary, policy analyst at the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), executive director of the Economic Affairs Bureau at Gyeonggi Province, and vice mayor of Namyangju. Subsequently joining the Democratic Party, he has been maintaining active communication between the party and local residents, serving as secretary of the Transition Committee for Governor Lee Jae-myung's Gyeonggi Province administration in the Public Administration and Safety sector, deputy chair of the Policy Committee, deputy chair of the Residential Welfare Special Committee, deputy chair of the National Defense and Security Special Committee, and standing member of the Good Local Government Committee, among other positions.