Mayor Baek Younghyun: "No Further Extensions Can Be Accepted"... Urges Return of 6th Corps Municipal Site Within This Year

Pocheon Mayor Baek Younghyun Holds Emergency Press Conference, Issues Warning to Ministry of National Defense
Expresses Concern That Delayed Return of 6th Corps Site Could Undermine Regional Growth Potential

On December 3, the city of Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, held an emergency press conference in the main conference room of city hall and officially announced its position that "no further extensions can be accepted" regarding the Ministry of National Defense's request to extend the return period of the 6th Corps site.

Baek Younghyun, mayor of Pocheon, held an emergency press conference on the 3rd in the city hall's main conference room and officially announced the position that "no further extensions can be accepted" regarding the Ministry of National Defense's request to extend the return period of the 6th Corps site. Provided by Pocheon City

The city explained that, following the official disbandment of the 6th Corps in November 2022, it had reached an agreement with the Ministry of National Defense to return the site by December 2023. The city had approved the use of municipal land on the condition that the relocation would be completed within two years.

Pocheon City stated that the 6th Corps site had been used as a military facility for several decades, which had long restricted regional development. Accordingly, the city has been preparing key projects for urban planning and revitalization of the local economy on the premise that the site would be returned.

The city pointed out that if the return is delayed, restructuring of the urban framework and future strategic projects could be disrupted, which could seriously undermine the growth potential of the entire region.

Pocheon City emphasized that the return of the 6th Corps site is not simply a matter of land use, but a key prerequisite for completing Pocheon's future growth axis. The city has been pursuing a long-term comprehensive plan to develop the site as a future growth hub, including urban planning revisions, expansion of transportation infrastructure, and allocation of public facilities. The city stated that the effectiveness of the comprehensive plan can be maximized only if the return proceeds as scheduled.

Baek Younghyun, mayor of Pocheon, held an emergency press conference on the 3rd in the city hall's main conference room and officially announced the position that "no further extension can be accepted" regarding the Ministry of National Defense's request to extend the return period of the 6th Corps site. Provided by Pocheon City

At the press conference, Pocheon Mayor Baek Younghyun said, "The Ministry of National Defense's renewed request to extend the use period undermines both the sacrifices the local community has endured and the procedures promised by the government," emphasizing, "The promise to return the site must be kept to protect the rights and interests of citizens and to promote regional development."

He added, "Pocheon is no longer a marginalized region and will rightfully demand its legitimate rights," and stated, "Together with our citizens, I will do everything possible to ensure that the promised return becomes a reality."

Pocheon City announced that, in response to the current situation, it will closely cooperate with relevant institutions such as the National Assembly and Gyeonggi Province as needed, and is considering a range of measures including public forums to gather citizen input and citywide responses.

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