Mayor Lee Jae-jun "Full Effort to Amend the Revision Act... Economic Free Zone in Seosuwon"

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun is holding a New Year's briefing on the 3rd.

Lee Jae-jun, the mayor of Suwon, announced that he will focus all efforts this year on amending the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act, which poses obstacles to attracting businesses and revitalizing the economy. He also stated plans to designate the western Suwon area as an economic free zone and to form a public deliberation committee with Hwaseong City for the construction of the Gyeonggi Southern International Integrated Airport.

At the 2024 New Year briefing held on the 3rd in the Suwon City Hall conference room, Mayor Lee said, "Since the fiscal independence ratio has dropped nearly by half from 89% in 2000 to 46% last year, the city's key focus this year is set as 'reviving the economy,'" emphasizing, "We will devote all our efforts to economic revitalization and attracting and supporting businesses."

To this end, Suwon City plans to put all its efforts into amending the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act. This Act was enacted to induce the proper distribution of population and industries concentrated in the capital region and to promote balanced development. As a result, the capital region, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, faces various regulations such as restrictions on the establishment of population-inducing facilities and development activities.

Suwon City views these regulations as unreasonable and recently established a council with 12 local governments including Goyang, Seongnam, Anyang, Bucheon, Uijeongbu, Hanam, Gwangmyeong, Gunpo, Guri, Uiwang, and Gwacheon to jointly respond.

On the same day, Mayor Lee also pledged to designate the western Suwon area as an economic free zone.

He explained, "The ultimate goal is to create a Korean-style Silicon Valley by combining the Tapdong Innovation Valley, Suwon R&D Science Park, Seoho and Gosaek districts, and the sites left after the relocation of Suwon military airport, designating the entire western Suwon area as an economic free zone to drive South Korea's economy."

Regarding the relocation of Suwon military airport and the construction of the Gyeonggi Southern Integrated International Airport in Hwaseong City, he said, "We have proposed to Hwaseong City the formation of the Gyeonggi International Airport Public Deliberation Committee, a citizen communication and consensus body, and are currently awaiting their response."

Additionally, concerning the Yeongtong Resource Recovery Facility (incineration plant), he stated, "This year, we will complete the preliminary site selection survey and proceed with feasibility studies, public hearings, basic design, and detailed design," adding, "If the plan proceeds as scheduled, construction of the new resource recovery facility is expected to begin in 2030 and be completed in 2032."

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