Kim Donggeun: "I Will Elevate Uijeongbu Beyond a Bedroom Community into an Advanced Economic City"

Donggeun Kim, Uijeongbu Mayoral Candidate, Announces Four Major Economic and Job Strategies
Presents Economic Blueprint Including Development of Returned U.S. Military Sites and Station Area
Establishing Advanced Economic Hubs Centered on Former U.S. Military Sites and Uijeongbu Station Area
Building Foundations for Business Growth with Economic Free Zone Designation and 10 Billion Won Future Industry Fund
Donggeun Kim: "I Will Build a Greater Uijeongbu Through Good Jobs"

Donggeun Kim, the Uijeongbu mayoral candidate from the People Power Party, announced his economic and job creation pledges aimed at transforming Uijeongbu's industrial structure into one centered around an advanced economy. He stated, "We will elevate Uijeongbu beyond a bedroom community into an advanced economic city overflowing with good jobs."

Candidate Donggeun Kim held a press conference at Uijeongbu City Hall on the 18th, presenting the economic and job policy vision for the 9th local government term as "A Greater Uijeongbu Where Good Jobs Become Citizens' Assets."

On the 18th, candidate Donggeun Kim held a press conference at Uijeongbu City Hall, presenting "A Greater Uijeongbu Where Good Jobs Become Citizens' Assets" as the economic and job policy vision for the 9th local government term. He outlined plans to attract high-tech industries and enterprises, focusing on former U.S. military sites and the Uijeongbu Station area, and to enhance the city's competitiveness by designating an economic free zone and establishing a future industry fund.

Kim analyzed, "Uijeongbu has long remained a city with a weak industrial base," and added, "The lack of good jobs has triggered a vicious cycle of youth outflow, weakened tax revenue, and stagnated urban growth."

He further emphasized, "Currently, the share of future industries in Uijeongbu stands at only 5.9%, and the per capita GRDP is merely 18.53 million won. We will move away from easy apartment development and dependence on logistics centers, and completely transform the paradigm of urban development by attracting high-tech anchor companies and establishing innovation-driven economic hubs."

To achieve this, Kim proposed four major strategies: △ transforming former U.S. military sites into high-tech industrial complexes △ complex development of the Uijeongbu Station area △ revitalizing local commercial districts △ building a corporate growth system.

First, he aims to develop the returned U.S. military sites into hubs for future industries. For Camp Jackson, he plans to establish a high-tech hub centered on bio and medical industries. Camp Kyle will be developed into a digital precision medical cluster in cooperation with hospitals such as St. Mary's Hospital and Eulji University Hospital. Camp Red Cloud is envisioned as a cluster for AI design and media content, while Camp Stanley will be used to attract global AI and IT companies and create a youth startup campus. The Yonghyeon Industrial Complex will also be upgraded into a high-tech self-sufficient zone based on data and AI.

Candidate Donggeun Kim is holding a press conference at Uijeongbu City Hall on the 18th, presenting the economic and job policy vision for the ninth term of local government as "A Greater Uijeongbu Where Good Jobs Become Citizens' Assets."

He also unveiled his vision for the development of the Uijeongbu Station area. Kim announced plans to establish the area as a leading multi-business hub in northern Gyeonggi Province, featuring a medium-sized convention center, business cluster, e-sports cluster, indoor garden, and a major transfer center. By leveraging six railway networks including GTX-C, he explained, the area will be cultivated as an economic hub that brings together businesses, consumers, culture, and youth jobs.

Kim stated, "Uijeongbu Station should not merely be a transportation hub, but an economic center where industry, consumption, culture, and youth jobs converge." He added, "Through the complex development of the Uijeongbu Station area, we will revitalize the old downtown and elevate the status of Uijeongbu as a city."

He also presented plans for revitalizing local commercial districts. Distinctive commercial zones will be fostered by area, including the old downtown, Hoeryong, Minrak, and Dongo Village, and the city will expand experiential consumption by linking local festivals and local consumption platforms. He stated that re-visit rates will be boosted by expanding local currency and festival coupons, supporting digital marketing, and improving public parking and public transportation access.

Referencing the successful bid to attract the LH Northern Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters, Kim noted, "The inflow of high-wage regular employees leads to increased sales in surrounding commercial districts and expansion of the local tax base." He emphasized, "Good jobs are not simply a matter of employment, but a core strategy that simultaneously grows local businesses, citizens' assets, and the city's finances."

Alongside this, he also announced plans to pursue designation as an economic free zone and to establish a 10 billion won future industry fund. The goal is to create a foundation for attracting global companies through tax reductions and regulatory easing, and to focus support on local startups and scaling-up companies. He explained that a one-stop administrative fast-track will be operated to support everything from corporate attraction to licensing and site acquisition, thereby establishing a business-friendly investment environment.

Aerial view of the Uijeongbu Station area development project. Provided by candidate Donggeun Kim

Candidate Donggeun Kim stated, "By 2035, we will achieve a total GRDP of 26 trillion won, a per capita GRDP of 50 million won, and 200 billion won in local income tax, thereby simultaneously enhancing citizens' quality of life and the city's competitiveness." He added, "We will create 'A Greater Uijeongbu' where good jobs and tax revenue return to benefit citizens' lives and simultaneously increase the value of citizens' assets."

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