Gangwon Province and Chuncheon City Clash Head-On Over Administrative Complex Town Development

Gangwon Province Expresses Regret Over Chuncheon City's Rejection of Administrative Complex Town Project
Conflict Over Relocation of Provincial Government Office Intensifies
Province Says, "Chuncheon City's Rejection of Administrative Complex Town Is Difficult to Accept"

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Gangwon Development Corporation have issued an official statement that systematically refutes Chuncheon City's decision to reject the "Goeun-ri Administrative Complex Town Development Project."

Gangwon Province Deputy Governor of Education and Women’s Affairs stated the position regarding Chuncheon City’s rejection of the proposal for the "Goeunri Administrative Complex Town Urban Development Project" at the provincial government press room on the 16th. Photo by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

The statement clarified that the core of the project is not simply relocating the provincial government office, but creating an administrative, cultural, residential, and commercial complex town befitting the status of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. It pointed out that this is a prerequisite for constructing the new government office, and that Chuncheon City's decision makes not only the government office construction but also the planned relocation and construction of the court and prosecutor's office impossible in succession.

Gangwon Province defined Chuncheon City's rejection as a de facto "refusal to relocate the provincial government office" and systematically countered each of the issues raised by Chuncheon City.

Regarding the claim that "the relocation of the provincial government office and apartment construction are separate matters," Gangwon Province emphasized that "the residential function within the administrative complex town is an essential element to prevent unplanned development and speculation, and to establish well-organized urban living conditions." The province also noted that this principle has been consistently applied in other cases of metropolitan government office relocations.

In response to the argument that "there was insufficient prior consultation," the province stated, "Since 2023, relevant departments of Chuncheon City have participated in service report meetings, and even population accommodation plans were discussed through official documents." Gangwon Province argued that it was actually Chuncheon City that delayed the process by responding late to the corporation's requests for prior consultation.

Regarding the claim that "there are no measures to address the hollowing out of the original downtown," Gangwon Province responded, "The issue of the original downtown's hollowing out is an area that the province, the city, and the project implementer must work together to resolve." The province criticized Chuncheon City for shifting responsibility and stated that it is impossible to present a concrete financial investment plan at this stage.

Regarding concerns about "unstable funding," Gangwon Province stressed, "The province plans to secure funding through in-kind contributions of provincial land and its own measures, and this has already been approved by the provincial council." The province pointed out that Chuncheon City's rejection goes beyond the scope of legal review and constitutes an excessive judgment.

In response to the claim of "delayed administrative procedures for the new government office construction," Gangwon Province stated, "The traffic impact assessment for the new government office has been delayed for six months, and Chuncheon City continues to demand transportation improvement measures that go beyond the legal requirements."

Gangwon Province Deputy Governor of Education Jung-hyup is expressing his position on Chuncheon City's rejection of the proposal for the 'Goeun-ri Administrative Complex Town Urban Development Project' at the provincial government press room on the 16th. Provided by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

Deputy Governor Yeo stated, "Chuncheon City's rejection of the proposal has caused significant setbacks in the creation of the administrative complex town, including the new government office," adding, "The development of the administrative complex town is being pursued as the future administrative hub of Gangwon Province, with the aim of balanced development and improved urban living conditions. Chuncheon City is making claims that do not reflect the facts."

Gangwon Province also made it clear that it is willing to participate in the consultative body proposed by the Gangwon Provincial Council and urged Chuncheon City to stop opposing for the sake of opposition and to participate sincerely in the consultative body. In addition, the province warned that expanding infrastructure for urban growth is the responsibility of a central city, and refusing the urban development project due to administrative procedures and time requirements is tantamount to giving up on the city's own growth.

Meanwhile, the administrative complex town project involves building the provincial government office, public institutions, and 4,700 apartment units on a 1 million square meter site in the Goeun-ri area. Gangwon Province selected Goeun-ri as the relocation site for the aging Bongui-dong government office, and expanded the project to include public institutions and apartments in an administrative complex town, entrusting the project to Gangwon Development Corporation.

Previously, Lee Wonchan, Director of Smart City Division at Chuncheon City, held a press conference at City Hall on the 15th and stated, "Despite two requests for supplementation, there was no substantial improvement, which is why the proposal was rejected." He added, "The administrative complex town project submitted by the corporation, namely the apartment construction project, changed the entire area to residential use and lacks adequate infrastructure measures such as water supply and sewage systems."