Lee orders resumption of highway project suspended due to allegations involving ex-first lady
Published: 20 Mar. 2026, 16:24
![President Lee Jae Myung at the Blue House on March 20, 2026 [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/20/5c2f0bb6-3e59-4284-aaae-25aff143e70b.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung at the Blue House on March 20, 2026 [YONHAP]
Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, announced the decision after the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway project was put on hold in July 2023 amid allegations that its endpoint was changed to an area where Kim's family owns land in Yangpyeong, east of Seoul.
"The government plans to secure budget support to resume the project within the first half of this year," Hong told reporters. "A new feasibility study will be conducted to promptly determine the route, to break ground in late 2029."
Hong said the government decided to address traffic congestion and prepare for an expected increase in traffic as large-scale residential developments are expected to bring in new residents by 2029, although the project had been under investigation by a special counsel over the process of changing its endpoint.
"The government will move past political controversy and push ahead with the project swiftly to meet residents' needs," he said.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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