The 'Muju~Daegu Expressway Construction Project' has been selected as a project subject to preliminary feasibility study through deliberation by the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Fiscal Operation Evaluation Committee.

The Jeollabuk Special Self-Governing Province stated on the 1st that the selection of this project is significant as it marks the first step in connecting the disconnected section of Muju~Seongju~Daegu to complete the east-west 3-axis (Saemangeum~Pohang) expressway network and strengthen the connection between Yeonghonam regions. They also highlighted that the project, which has faced difficulties in implementation due to lack of economic viability in the past, has now secured the momentum to be actively pursued.

The Muju~Daegu Expressway is considered a core national project for the Jeollabuk metropolitan area, going beyond a mere transportation infrastructure to enhance connectivity in the Yeonghonam region and promote tourism centered around Taekwondo. It is anticipated that when connected with the 'Saemangeum~Jeonju Expressway,' which is scheduled to open, it will greatly boost the completion of the east-west transportation axis in the Jeollabuk region and expand the logistics network.

This project was included in the 'Second Expressway Construction Plan ('21~'25)' in February 2022 as the Muju~Seongju section (general project) and the Seongju~Daegu section (priority project) but has faced challenges in securing feasibility due to low traffic demand.

To increase the feasibility of the preliminary study, Jeollabuk Province, Gyeongsangbuk Province, and Muju County have prepared a plan to integrate the two sections into one project and officially proposed this to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Expressway Corporation.