Yongin Lays Foundation for Metropolitan-Level Local Government as Special Act on Support for Special Cities Passes National Assembly

Expansion of Administrative and Fiscal Authority for Special Cities

Strengthened Powers Expected

Momentum for Key Yongin Projects in Semiconductors, Transportation, and Environment

Accelerated Pace for Large-Scale Development and Urban Planning

Yongin Special City in Gyeonggi Province announced on May 7 that following the passage of the “Special Act on Support for Special Cities” in the National Assembly's plenary session, major projects such as the semiconductor cluster initiative are expected to be fully launched.

Yongin Special City Hall. Provided by Yongin Special City

This special act includes 26 administrative special provisions, including 19 new delegated functions that expand the roles and functions of special cities.

Substantial empowerment has been achieved in a variety of fields, including industrial complexes, environment, transportation, and green spaces.

In particular, with the establishment of a legal basis for direct support from central administrative agencies, it is expected that the implementation of customized policies tailored to local characteristics and the execution of large-scale development projects will be enhanced.

Accordingly, the city plans to review and accelerate the implementation of key initiatives, including the creation of a semiconductor industry cluster, the development of industrial complexes, and the expansion of urban green spaces.

As Yongin is a region where companies and infrastructure related to the semiconductor industry are concentrated, the city expects that the expanded authority will further drive policies for nurturing the semiconductor industry ecosystem and developing talent.

Until now, special cities have been subject to the same powers and fiscal structures as general local governments, leading to criticism that it has been difficult to adequately address administrative demands.

For this reason, Yongin and four other special cities—each with a population of over one million—have called for administrative and fiscal privileges to enable them to operate at a metropolitan level in line with local conditions and characteristics, as well as for the institutionalization of effective support systems.

Yongin City believes that the passage of this bill has established an institutional foundation for strengthening administrative and fiscal authority. With certain approval and licensing powers being transferred from the central government and Gyeonggi Province to the city, the city expects to be able to implement policies more autonomously and efficiently.

A city official stated, “With the passage of the special act by the National Assembly, we expect Yongin to emerge as a fully-fledged metropolitan local government,” adding, “Since the special act will take effect one year after its promulgation, we will focus our administrative resources on preparing the organization, finances, and administrative systems in line with the transfer of authority and ensuring a stable institutional transition.”

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