[Opinion] The Best Location for Gyeonggi Province Public Institution Relocation: 'City of Forests and Water, Pocheon'

Park Yoon-guk, Mayor of Pocheon

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] In February, Gyeonggi Province decided on the third relocation of public institutions. The plan is to relocate public institutions to the northern and eastern regions of Gyeonggi, which have been underdeveloped due to overlapping regulations, in order to achieve balanced development.

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized, "If special sacrifices are made for the community, providing appropriate compensation aligns with the value of fairness."

Citizens welcomed Gyeonggi Province’s meticulous policy consideration. Pocheon is the optimal location that aligns with Gyeonggi’s principles of fairness and the purpose of balanced development. Until now, Pocheon has endured special sacrifices due to various regulations including the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act, military security, and water resource management. ‘Special compensation’ is needed for Pocheon, which has long been marginalized.

Our city has silently carried out its mission on the front line of national security for over 70 years. Military facility protection zones cover 29% of Pocheon’s area, and it hosts the largest U.S. military training ground, Rodriguez Range, as well as the largest promotion training ground in East Asia. The total area of nine shooting ranges and training grounds amounts to 50.54㎢, comparable to the size of Bucheon City. Damage to local residents’ lives and property continues to this day.

Pocheon is classified as a first-grade area suffering the most severe regulatory damage among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. In addition to the aforementioned military regulations, it is subject to capital region regulations such as growth management zones, water environment regulations including water source protection zones, emission facility installation restrictions, and factory establishment restriction zones.

Due to these multiple overlapping regulations, Pocheon has been excluded from various developments, resulting in slow regional growth and even population decline. It is essential to successfully attract public institutions to advance as a future growth city in northern Gyeonggi.

Despite being excluded from development, Pocheon has continued to grow through persistent efforts. Starting with the opening of the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway in 2017, followed by the opening of the Capital Region Second Ring Expressway in 2023, and the completion of the extension of Subway Line 7 in 2028, a dense transportation network is being established to enable access within one hour from anywhere in the province. A compact residential environment is also being vigorously developed.

There are about 6,000 manufacturing companies with one or more employees in the area, the largest number in northern Gyeonggi. Through attracting public institutions, Pocheon plans to create an industry-academia-research cooperation ecosystem and provide administrative support without hesitation.

Pocheon also has optimal location conditions. It is a city of forests and water, home to the Hantan River UNESCO Global Geopark and the National Arboretum, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering a pleasant environment as a major advantage. It holds the largest developable land in northern Gyeonggi, making it very advantageous compared to other cities and counties in terms of cost reduction for site acquisition.

Additionally, in connection with the extension of Subway Line 7, a compact city blending transportation, housing, and advanced business is being planned, which is expected to create great synergy for attracting public institutions.

Pocheon dreams of co-growth through attracting the Gyeonggi Provincial Economic Science Promotion Agency and Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation. Through the relocation of public institutions, it will lead not only balanced development in Gyeonggi Province but also balanced development and future growth of the Republic of Korea. Everyone is united in their hope for attracting public institutions. Together with 150,000 Pocheon citizens, we hope to hear good news soon.

Mayor of Pocheon Park Yoon-guk

※ This opinion piece may differ from the editorial direction of Asia Economy.