Building Smart Innovation Governance... A New Driving Force for Northern Gyeonggi's Development?

Shinhan University, Gyeonggi Province, and the Transition Administration Association Hold Joint Seminar
Exploring Development Strategies for Northern Gyeonggi through "Smart Innovation Governance"
"Transforming the Land of Regulations into a Land of Opportunity"... Presenting a Vision for the Grand Development of Northern Gyeonggi
President Kang Sungjong: "Shinhan University Will Become the Hub of Innovative Governance in Northern Gyeonggi"

Shinhan University (President Kang Sungjong), Gyeonggi Province (Governor Kim Dongyeon), and the Transition Administration Association (President Shim Ikseop) jointly held the "2025 Gyeonggi Northern Region Development Seminar with Shinhan University" on the 3rd at Multipurpose Room 1 of the Eben-Ezer Hall at Shinhan University in Uijeongbu City, under the theme "Development Strategy for Northern Gyeonggi through Smart Innovation Governance."

This seminar was organized to explore ways to resolve regional imbalances and pursue sustainable development in Northern Gyeonggi by establishing a collaborative governance system for care innovation based on AI and ICT technologies, as well as cooperation among education, industry, and administration.

The event was attended by more than 150 people, including Lee Chaerak, Vice President of Shinhan University; Shim Ikseop, President of the Transition Administration Association; Cho Jangseok, Head of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Promotion Team; Park Jihye, National Assembly member for Uijeongbu Gap; Lee Jaekang, National Assembly member for Uijeongbu Eul; Jang Inbong, Director of the Community Development Research Institute at Shinhan University; Gyeonggi Provincial Council members; and experts from academia and industry.

In his opening remarks, President Kang Sungjong stated, "Despite the triple and quadruple overlapping regulations such as military facility protection zones, development restriction zones, and water source protection zones, Northern Gyeonggi holds new growth potential for Korea." He added, "I hope this seminar becomes a platform for transforming the 'land of regulations' into a 'land of opportunity.'" He further emphasized, "Shinhan University will continue to design a sustainable future for the region as a hub for innovative governance and talent development in Northern Gyeonggi."

In his welcoming address, President Shim Ikseop (Emeritus Professor at Dongguk University) said, "Super-aging and regional disparities are key transitional challenges for Korean society." He continued, "This seminar is a meaningful occasion to seek solutions for care blind spots and regional development strategies simultaneously. Moving forward, we will develop this into a new forum for discourse that leads administrative innovation in the AI era."

In his congratulatory remarks, Cho Jangseok (Head of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Promotion Team) stated, "Today's seminar is a very important first step in creating a new turning point for growth in Northern Gyeonggi." He expressed strong determination, saying, "With the valuable insights and policy alternatives discussed and proposed today, we will work closely with all relevant organizations to foster strategic industries with high potential and ultimately achieve balanced regional development through the Gyeonggi Northern Grand Development Project."

National Assembly member Park Jihye stated in her congratulatory speech, "Northern Gyeonggi is a region that has made sacrifices for national security. Considering its historical role and regional characteristics, practical compensation and policy support are needed. To ensure Northern Gyeonggi becomes a key pillar of balanced national development, the National Assembly and the government will work together to promote legislation that reflects the realities of the region and make every effort so that budget and system improvements are felt on the ground."

National Assembly member Lee Jaekang remarked, "Uijeongbu and Northern Gyeonggi have endured special sacrifices for national security, but have not fully enjoyed corresponding opportunities for development. Now, a regional self-sustaining ecosystem must be built through smart innovation governance, where the central and local governments, as well as the public and private sectors, collaborate based on social capital. I will strive to ensure that Northern Gyeonggi becomes a forward base for innovation in Korea."

The second part of the academic conference was divided into two sessions.

In the first session, Professor Yang Seunghee of Shinhan University (President of the Smart Care Convergence Association) gave a presentation on "Smart Care Project Direction for Addressing Care Blind Spots in Northern Gyeonggi." Professor Yang highlighted the need to transition to a smart care system utilizing AI and IoT technologies to address the increase in elderly single-person households and the issue of lonely deaths. Professor Kang Jeonghee of Daejin University served as the moderator for the discussion, with panelists including Oh Seokgyu (Gyeonggi Provincial Council member), Lee Chunmi (Vice President of the Gyeonggi Province Nurses Association), Jeong Nana (Deputy Director of the Nowon-gu Dementia Relief Center), Kim Jeongmin (Deputy Director of Management Planning at Seobon Gyoeul On Care Clinic), Yoon Yeonhee (President of the Gyeonggi Province Social Welfare Center Association), and Jang Yeonguk (Director of Uijeongbu City Public Health Center), who engaged in a lively debate.

Shinhan University, Gyeonggi Province, and the Transition Administration Association held the "2025 Gyeonggi Northern Region Development Seminar with Shinhan University" on the 3rd at the Ebenezer Hall Multipurpose Room 1 of Shinhan University in Uijeongbu City. Provided by Shinhan University

The second session, under the theme "Education and Regional Governance for Sustainable Development in Northern Gyeonggi," featured two main presentations. Professor Kim Seonghee of Hanyang University presented on "Education and Regional Governance for Sustainable Development in Northern Gyeonggi," and Professor Kang Chansol of Shinhan University (Director of the RISE Project Group) delivered a presentation on "Industrial Innovation Strategies for Northern Gyeonggi through Advanced Materials and University-Industry Collaboration."

Professor Park Jaehang of Seokyeong University served as the moderator for the discussion, with panelists including Yoon Hosang (Secretary General of the World Citizens Organization), Ko Byeongcheol (Managing Director of the Korea Medical Institute), Cho Seokwon (Chairman of LS EduHospital), Jin Sehyeok (Chairman of the Gyeonggi Northern Special Self-Governing Province Public Deliberation Committee), Lee Yonguk (Gyeonggi Provincial Council member), and Kim Hwangi (Director of Gyeongin Ilbo), who participated in an active discussion.

Professor Jang Inbong of the Department of Public Administration at Shinhan University (Head of the Gyeonggi Good Policy Forum Policy Advisory Group), who planned this seminar, explained its purpose by saying, "We are now in an era of national sovereignty and local sovereignty. For the past 70 years, Northern Gyeonggi has played the role of the nation's big sister. The sacrifices and losses endured as a forward base for national security must now be compensated by the restoration of autonomy in this era of national sovereignty, and we must achieve regional development through our own leadership and planning." He continued, "Today's seminar was organized to explore concrete development strategies for such a vision together."

Professor Jang Inbong further emphasized, "The current government's era of national sovereignty should be pursued in a direction that achieves the happiness of local residents through genuine autonomy and decentralization. In this process, forums for public discussion in which local residents can actively participate should be continuously established, and Shinhan University will remain committed to fulfilling this role and mission."

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