Gimpo City Hosts Border Area Mayors and County Heads Council... Strengthening Joint Response for Regulatory Easing

Unified Call for Regulatory Easing and Balanced Regional Development
Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo, Proposes Installation of Navigation Gate at Singok Underwater Weir

Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) announced on the 30th that it held the "2025 Second Half Border Area Mayors and County Heads Council Regular Meeting" at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park on the 29th.

Mayors and county heads of border areas held the "2025 Second Half Border Area Mayors and County Heads Council Regular Meeting" on the 29th at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park and are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Gimpo City

This meeting was convened to discuss shared issues in border areas and to explore ways for mutual development. Ten mayors and county heads attended, including Ham Myungjun, County Head of Goseong (Council Chair), as well as representatives from Ganghwa, Ongjin, Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje, and Goseong.

A total of 15 agenda items were submitted at the meeting. Gimpo City proposed two items for in-depth discussion: a request to amend the Comprehensive Development Plan for Border Areas (installation of a navigation gate at Singok underwater weir) and a proposal to establish new exceptions for military consultation requirements related to development activity permits.

The council agreed to strengthen the joint response system regarding the major issues discussed at the meeting and to continue pursuing practical institutional improvements and budget support measures through consultations with central government ministries and relevant agencies.

Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo City, stated, "Until now, regulations and restrictions have limited regional development," adding, "It is time to shift from a security-focused perspective to policies that balance management and development, thereby creating new growth engines for border areas."

Additionally, Ham Myungjun, County Head of Goseong and Council Chair, emphasized, "Residents of border areas, who have long been on the front line of national security, have endured sacrifices for many years," and stressed, "To resolve regional imbalances caused by military restrictions and development limits, it is essential for the central government to strengthen its policy support."

The Border Area Mayors and County Heads Council is a consultative body established to efficiently promote balanced development and wide-area administration in border regions by jointly discussing and coordinating administrative affairs among local governments adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone. The council consists of ten cities and counties: Ganghwa County and Ongjin County in Incheon Metropolitan City; Gimpo City, Paju City, and Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province; and Cheorwon County, Hwacheon County, Yanggu County, Inje County, and Goseong County in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Yanggu County, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The council plans to continue strengthening the cooperative system for balanced development and the establishment of peace in border areas through ongoing exchanges and joint cooperation.

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