Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, Come to Gyeonggi Gwangju

City, Civil Society, and Residents United in All-Out Bid
Advantages in Public Institution Relocation with GTX and Transportation Infrastructure

Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency Hosting Hope Pan-Citizen Resolution Rally [Provided by Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province is going all out in the competition to attract a public institution. Mayor Shin Dong-heon, along with the city government, city council, local political circles, civil society, and residents, are leading an all-out effort to attract the institution.

The target for attraction is the 'Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency (Gyeonggawon),' which is being relocated under the policy promoted by Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung to move public institutions within Gyeonggi-do. Located in Suwon, Gyeonggawon is responsible for fostering small and medium-sized enterprises, nurturing the startup ecosystem, and promoting bio and health industries.

Gwangju City expects synergistic effects through its geographical advantage with Gwanggyo and Pangyo Techno Valleys and collaboration with approximately 6,200 companies. The city has launched the 'Gwangju City Public Institution Relocation Promotion Team,' led by Vice Mayor Lee Chun-gu, to fully commit to attracting Gyeonggawon.

On the 12th of last month, Mayor Shin Dong-heon led about 30 members of the municipal Gwangjiwon Nongak troupe to visit the northern office of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and submitted a proposal to attract Gyeonggawon.

Regarding the background of the effort to attract Gyeonggawon, Mayor Shin said, "Eighty-five percent of Gwangju's total area is subject to overlapping regulations such as the Paldang water source protection zone. There are no significant institutions such as comprehensive universities or general hospitals," and emphasized, "We must relocate Gyeonggawon to Gwangju City to breathe new life into the local economy."

Full opening of 4 lanes on the Ibaejae Tunnel section of Local Road No. 338 between Gwangju and Seongnam [Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City]

He added, "Efforts should be made to establish the Gwanggyo Techno Valley, Pangyo Techno Valley, and Gwangju Valley IT triangular axis," and said, "Four stations in our city are within 10 minutes of Pangyo Station, and especially, the furniture industry is specialized here, forming a cluster with related small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners. If we attract Gyeonggawon, we will actively promote industrial competitiveness enhancement and the establishment of research and development infrastructure."

Gwangju City recently passed the first round of screening and plans to focus on the second round while continuing its attraction activities.

In particular, the city plans to highlight advantages that will play an important role in confirming the relocation of the public institution, such as the Jungbu Expressway, the Second Jungbu Expressway, the currently underway Metropolitan Area 2nd Ring Expressway, the Suseo-Gwangju double-track railway, the extension of the Gyeonggang Line, and the GTX line promotion.

Gwangju City emphasizes that "it is easy to commute from anywhere in the metropolitan area, with 30 minutes to Gwanggyo, 10 minutes to Pangyo, and 30 minutes to Gangnam."

The city council adopted a resolution to attract the public institution and has gathered support for Gyeonggawon’s attraction through signature campaigns, guerrilla promotions, meetings with business and local organization leaders, and rallies.

Local organizations in Gwangju have also raised their voices for the development of Gwangju City, which is bound by regulations, by hanging banners to form public opinion in favor of attracting Gyeonggawon.

Park Kwang-seong, head of the Saemaul Movement Gwangju Branch, said, "The Saemaul leaders in Gwangju hope together for the attraction of the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency, and we hope to hear good news for Gwangju, where regional development has been slow due to overlapping regulations."

The Gwangju Greenicrini Volunteer Group (President Shin Bong-hoon) and the Mobile Patrol Youth Harmful Environment Monitoring Team (Leader Jeon Dong-seok) participated in the signature campaign for the 'Relocation of the Gyeonggi-do Economic Science Promotion Agency to Gwangju City.'

Jung Woo-kyung, chairperson of the Gwangju Women's Association Council, said, "We support and will assist the ongoing 'Gyeonggawon attraction' activities for women's social participation and the development of the Gwangju region."

Mayor Shin said, "I will do my best to gather the wishes of the citizens and succeed in the 'relocation and attraction of Gyeonggawon'."