Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has ordered the resumption of a highway project that had been suspended for nearly three years over influence-peddling allegations involving former first lady Kim Keon Hee, a senior aide said Friday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, announced the decision after the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway project was put on hold in July 2023. The suspension came amid allegations that its endpoint was altered to an area where Kim's family owns land in Yangpyeong, east of Seoul.

Hong stated that the government plans to secure budget support to resume the project within the first half of this year. A new feasibility study will be conducted to promptly determine the route, with the goal of breaking ground in late 2029. The project had been under investigation by a special counsel over the process of changing its endpoint.

He further explained that the government made the decision to address traffic congestion and prepare for an anticipated increase in traffic as large-scale residential developments are expected to bring in new residents by 2029. "The government will move past political controversy and push ahead with the project swiftly to meet residents' needs," he said.