Kim Dong-geun, Mayor of Uijeongbu, Elected President of the Gyeonggi-do Northern Region Mayors and Governors Council

Proposal for Gyeonggi Bukbu Development Initiative at Gyeonggi Bukbu Future Vision Forum

Kim Dong-geun, mayor of Uijeongbu City, was elected as the chairman of the Northern Gyeonggi Province Mayors and Governors Council on the 9th.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun is delivering the opening address at the 2nd Gyeonggi Northern Future Vision Forum on the 9th. Photo by Uijeongbu City

The Northern Gyeonggi Province Mayors and Governors Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is an organization formed last year by 10 cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi to promote development and mutual cooperation in the region. Through regular meetings, they have shared local issues and policies.

Earlier, at the 2nd regular meeting in 2023, Mayor Kim Dong-geun proposed co-hosting the ‘Northern Gyeonggi Future Vision Forum’ to address the region’s weak economy and infrastructure problems and to present a vision, which received great support.

Following this proposal, the ‘1st Northern Gyeonggi Future Vision Forum’ was held at the Uijeongbu Arts Center in August. Under the theme ‘Game Changer Northern Gyeonggi for a Leap to $70,000 National Income,’ about 200 people attended to discuss ways to foster new industries in northern Gyeonggi and plans to develop the Uijeongbu K-Content Complex Cultural District.

Uijeongbu City successfully hosted the ‘1st Northern Gyeonggi Future Vision Forum’ and passed the baton to Goyang City for the second forum.

At the regular meeting that day, the Council elected Mayor Kim Dong-geun as its 2nd chairman and held the ‘2nd Northern Gyeonggi Future Vision Forum’ at the Aram Nuri Saera Sae Theater in Goyang City.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun is participating in the 'Gyeonggi Northern Region Balanced Development Joint Declaration' ceremony with attendees at the '2nd Gyeonggi Northern Future Vision Forum' held on the 9th. Photo by Uijeongbu City

Under the theme ‘Northern Gyeonggi, South Korea’s New Growth Engine! Drawing Together,’ Mayor Kim Dong-geun proposed initiatives for the development of northern Gyeonggi in his opening remarks at the forum.

First, Mayor Kim said, “First, establish a development plan for northern Gyeonggi led by the Council that reflects the visions and potentials of the cities and counties, and demand its inclusion in statutory plans such as Gyeonggi Vision 2030 and the Seoul Metropolitan Area Urban Plan.”

He continued, “Second, set and implement joint goals for northern Gyeonggi’s development, including designation of economic free zones, expansion of transportation infrastructure, and joint promotion of corporate investment attraction activities.”

He also stated, “Third, make joint efforts to revive the historical and geographical significance of northern Gyeonggi and to enhance its identity and pride.”

At the forum, discussions were held on the economic leap of northern Gyeonggi centered on Goyang City’s economic free zone and the vision for promoting the northern Gyeonggi video industry. The event was further meaningful with a ‘Northern Gyeonggi Balanced Development Joint Declaration’ ceremony involving Gyeonggi Province and the 10 cities and counties.

Going forward, the Northern Gyeonggi Future Vision Forum will be held on a rotating basis divided into three axes (Gyeongwon Line axis, Gyeongui Line axis, Gyeongchun Line axis), with the next forum scheduled to be held in the cities and counties along the Gyeongchun Line axis.

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