Candidate Lee Gwonjae Declares Major Overhaul of Osan Station Area... Aims to Create Southern Gyeonggi’s Leading Commercial Hub

Lee Gwonjae, Osan Mayoral Candidate, Unveils "Station-Area Innovation" Pledge
Pushing for Osan Station to Be Designated as a "Spatial Innovation District"
Integrated Development Linking Gyeseong Paper Mill and Sewage Treatment Plant
Creating the Largest Commercial and Cultural Hub in Southern Gyeonggi Province

Lee Gwonjae, the People Power Party’s candidate for mayor of Osan City in Gyeonggi Province, has unveiled a “City Regeneration and Economic Revitalization Package” pledge aimed at transforming the old downtown area around Osan Station into a next-generation mixed-use city, in a bid to attract voters.

Photo of Osan City and Booyoung Group signing a business agreement. Provided by candidate Lee Kwonjae

On May 10, Lee announced plans to connect the redevelopment of the former Gyeseong Paper Mill site with the Osan No. 2 Sewage Treatment Plant site, which is scheduled to be relocated, and to designate the Osan Station area as a “Spatial Innovation District,” completely restructuring the city’s functions.

The core of this project is the redevelopment of the former Gyeseong Paper Mill site, covering approximately 112,422 square meters in the Osandong area. Lee plans to establish a landmark mixed-use commercial facility here, concentrating convention centers as well as lifestyle, cultural, and sports amenities, to create a major commercial hub representing the southern Gyeonggi region.

In particular, Lee emphasized plans to maximize synergy by redeveloping the Osan No. 2 Sewage Treatment Plant site, which is expected to be relocated around 2032, and to create a “Starlight Bridge” along the Osancheon stream that will feature observation decks and cafes, providing both a relaxation space for citizens and a new tourism resource.

Lee stated, “Revitalizing the Osan Station area, which was once the heart of Osan, is the key to reviving the city’s economy,” and pledged, “I will push forward a comprehensive urban innovation that simultaneously improves the old downtown, local commercial districts, and residential environments.”

He added that, similar to the AK Plaza at Suwon Station, he intends to develop the area into the largest commercial and cultural region in southern Gyeonggi Province, integrating citizen convenience facilities, transportation, shopping, and cultural amenities.

Redevelopment of the former Gyeseong Paper Mill site is targeted to proceed over about five years following project approval. Lee emphasized, “By transforming this core site, which has been underutilized for a long time, into a next-generation mixed-use city space, we will invigorate the local economy and simultaneously create jobs and increase the floating population.”

To draw in private sector participation and promote regulatory easing, Lee is also pushing to designate the Osan Station area as a “Spatial Innovation District.” Through this, he aims to remove usage restrictions and restructure the space to secure new growth engines for the city.

At the same time, to improve the living conditions of original downtown residents, he plans to designate the area as a “Small-Scale Housing Maintenance Management District.” The strategy involves supporting smart remodeling and housing regeneration for aged homes, as well as significantly improving infrastructure such as expanding parking lots and roads, to boost the resettlement rate of existing residents.

The signing ceremony of the business agreement between Osan City and Booyoung Group. Photo by Lee Gwonjae

Lee stressed, “I will reinvent Osan Station as a central axis of balanced development, where both the old downtown and new town can grow together, leading to job creation and revitalization of the local economy at the same time.”

He further stated, “I want to build a city where development brings people together, not a city where people are pushed out,” adding, “I am committed to achieving tangible improvements in residential environments that original downtown residents can truly feel.”

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