Paju City Announces Plan to Complete 'Korean Peninsula Peace Capital'

Mayor Choi Jong-hwan, "Need to Escape Various Regulations and Stigmas for Stable Economic Growth"

Tongil Bridge, Paju City [Provided by Paju City]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Paju City in Gyeonggi Province has announced its achievements in the third year of the 7th elected administration related to the 'Completion of the Peace Capital of the Korean Peninsula' and its plans for key strategies in the upcoming fourth year.

Mayor Choi Jong-hwan of Paju stated at the 2nd plenary session of the 226th regular meeting of the Paju City Council held on the 22nd, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula must be established so that the border area security city can be freed from various regulations and stigma, allowing stable economic activities and growth. We will continue to leap forward as a future-oriented peace city." He added, "Revitalizing the local economy, which has been stagnant due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and meeting citizens' aspirations for a self-sufficient city are the core tasks of the fourth year of the 7th elected administration," on the 23rd.

He continued, "Over the past three years, Paju has achieved many results by striving with the administrative goals of peace, coexistence, and decentralization, but there are still challenges to overcome. In particular, the realization of 'Paju as the Peace Capital of the Korean Peninsula' has not made as much progress as expected due to the complex surrounding situation, and the administrative capacity that should have been devoted to key projects was somewhat dispersed due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which is the greatest regret," he said.

The city plans to expand self-sufficient city infrastructure and secure future new growth engines through the prompt commencement of the Medical Cluster project by obtaining business implementation approval in the second half of the year, the solid selection of private operators for the Techno Valley project, and the stable relocation of the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, among other key projects.

The city will particularly strengthen transportation innovation. To expand the metropolitan transportation network, plans include ▲ establishing a direct seat route between Geumchon and Hyehwa in the second half of the year ▲ prompt approval of the KDI private investment feasibility study for Line 3 (Ilsan Line) ▲ inclusion of the Tongil Line in the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan ▲ promotion of the entrusted agreement for extending the Daegok Sosa Line to Paju ▲ formulation of a 'mid- to long-term public transportation plan' to reorganize bus routes following the completion of Unjeong 3 District and GTX ▲ improvement of habitual road congestion sections ▲ and construction of the Paju-type smart transportation system (ITS) to support fast and convenient movement for citizens.

The city will continue ongoing projects such as support for youth regular employment, rent support for young entrepreneurs, and credit recovery support for long-term student loan delinquents, while also considering the establishment of an organization or agency dedicated to youth housing support and youth policies to expand policies that young people can tangibly experience.

Additionally, to respond to employment contraction caused by COVID-19, the city plans to actively promote job policies tailored to different groups such as women, middle-aged individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities, and to realize an inclusive and cooperative city through comprehensive job support policies including customized job information provision and consulting.

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