Gyeonggi-do Provides 3.2 Billion KRW Support to Areas Around Military Bases in Gimpo and Paju

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is promoting the 'Support Project for Areas Surrounding Military Bases' this year targeting six cities and counties within the province, including Gimpo and Paju. To this end, the province plans to invest a total of 3.2 billion KRW to alleviate residents' inconveniences and lay the foundation for civil-military cooperation.

The Support Project for Areas Surrounding Military Bases is based on the philosophy of the 7th local government administration, "Special compensation for special sacrifices," and aims to promote mutual cooperation between civilians and the military and regional development by improving the convenience of residents living near military bases in border areas.

Within the province, there is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and over 600 military bases. In particular, 42.75% of the area in northern Gyeonggi is designated as a military facility protection zone. As a result, residents in surrounding areas have suffered from noise and traffic inconveniences caused by base stationing and military training, as well as restrictions on regional development.

In response, the province established institutional grounds by enacting the "Ordinance on Support and Cooperation for Residents Near Military Bases Stationed in Gyeonggi Province and Border Areas" in 2017 to support residents near military bases who have endured special sacrifices for national security.

This year, through evaluation considering feasibility, effectiveness, and civil-military conflict levels, the province selected a total of 26 projects in six cities and counties?Gimpo, Paju, Pocheon, Yangpyeong, Dongducheon, and Yeoncheon?as support targets.

To this end, a total project budget of 3.2 billion KRW will be invested to enhance resident safety and convenience in areas lagging due to the presence of military facilities.

Looking at the support projects by region, Gimpo will receive 552 million KRW for four projects including the safe forest trail at Gahyeonsan and maintenance of village roads in Yonggang-ri. Paju will be supported with 1.096 billion KRW for seven projects such as drainage maintenance in Ungdam 1-ri and village road maintenance in Dongmun 1-ri.

Pocheon will have 510 million KRW invested in seven projects including road improvements in Yeongok-ri and bridge repair and reinforcement in Uncheon-ri. Yangpyeong will receive 66 million KRW for two projects including installation of electronic display boards around shooting ranges.

Dongducheon will have 560 million KRW allocated for two projects including road maintenance around military bases, and Yeoncheon will receive 425 million KRW for four projects such as installation of road reflectors in dangerous sections of the Civilian Control Line and expansion of safety facilities in Hwagok village.

The province plans to focus on resolving civil-military conflicts this year by, with active cooperation from the military, relocating guard posts to ease residents' passage within military base areas, creating parking lots for users of community-open soccer fields inside military bases, and supporting the installation of electronic display boards to provide prior notice of training in areas affected by shooting exercises.

A provincial official stated, "We will make further efforts to ensure that the Support Project for Areas Surrounding Military Bases alleviates the living inconveniences of residents in underdeveloped areas caused by military facilities and serves as a foundation for civil-military coexistence, enabling these areas to transform into developed regions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.