Busan Gijang-gun Accelerates Ilgwang-myeon’s Promotion to ‘Eup’... Ilgwang New Town Growth Soars

Head of Military Promotion Team and Deputy Director of Administrative Autonomy Bureau Launch 'Ilgwang-eup Promotion Task Force'
Oh Gyu-seok, Gijang County Governor, Says "Let's Hang the 'Eup' Signboard at the 'Ilgwang' New Office Building Starting Cons

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Busan’s Gijang-gun has officially begun efforts to promote Ilgwang-myeon, which is rapidly growing based on Ilgwang New Town, to an “eup” (town).

Gijang-gun plans to mobilize all administrative resources to promote Ilgwang-myeon to Ilgwang-eup, drawing on its experience and know-how from upgrading Jeonggwan-myeon to Jeonggwan-eup in September 2015.

At the “COVID-19 Daily Situation Report Meeting” held at 9 a.m. on the 19th, Oh Gyu-seok, the head of Gijang-gun, declared the promotion of Ilgwang-myeon to eup.

The responsible department has formed the “Ilgwang-eup Promotion Task Force,” with the county head as the leader and the director of the Administrative Autonomy Bureau as deputy leader, to proceed with the formal process.

Gijang-gun divided the task force into two teams. The Administrative Support Division is in charge of the “Ilgwang-eup Promotion Administrative Task Team,” which handles administrative procedures for the eup promotion, while Ilgwang-myeon is responsible for the “Ilgwang-eup Promotion Administrative Support Team,” which gathers residents’ opinions and other related tasks.

According to Article 7, Paragraph 3 of the Local Autonomy Act, an eup must mostly have an urban form and a population of over 20,000. Additionally, it must meet all requirements including at least 40% of the population living in urban areas and at least 40% of households engaged in urban-type industries.

Since the move-in to Ilgwang New Town began earlier this year, the population of Ilgwang-myeon has rapidly increased to about 22,000. It is expected that by 2023, when the move-in to Ilgwang New Town is completed, the population of Ilgwang-myeon will reach approximately 34,000. Furthermore, if apartments are built on the former Korea Glass site, the population of Ilgwang-myeon is estimated to reach 40,000.

Gijang-gun expects Ilgwang-myeon to smoothly meet the legal requirements for promotion to an eup under the Local Autonomy Act.

Gijang-gun plans to conduct a status survey in the first half of 2021 and complete the basic plan for eup promotion by the second half of 2021.

After going through administrative procedures such as preparing a status report and consulting with the county council, they plan to submit a proposal to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety by the second half of 2021 and proceed with the approval process.

The promotion of Ilgwang-myeon to eup will enhance the urban brand value suitable for Ilgwang-myeon, where rapid population growth and urbanization are underway.

Development in Ilgwang-myeon is accelerating with the construction of the Ilgwang New Government Building scheduled to start in 2021, the Ilgwang Library, and the large-scale public convenience facility “Ilgwang Bit·Mul·Kkum Education and Culture Town” set to begin construction in 2022.

Additionally, the Ilgwangcheon Stream promenade project, which has been underway since January this year, aligns with Gijang-gun’s Ilgwang area development plans, further boosting the leap toward an eco-friendly city and the effect of population inflow.

Oh Gyu-seok, head of Gijang-gun, said, “With the Ilgwang Bit·Mul·Kkum Education and Culture Town project, the construction of the Ilgwang-myeon government building and Ilgwang Library, and the creation of hiking and walking trails, Ilgwang-myeon will establish itself as a city of education, culture, and eco-friendliness comparable to Jeonggwan-eup. We will succeed in promoting Ilgwang to eup in step with the rapidly growing pace of Ilgwang-myeon.”

Oh also expressed his determination, saying, “Once the Ilgwang government building is completed, I will hang the Ilgwang-eup signboard together with the residents.”

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