Gangwon-Gyeonggi, Joint Cooperation on 'Military Regulation Relaxation and Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail Development'

Five Local Governments Consider Forming the '(Tentative Name) Hantangang Global Geopark Integrated Management Organization'

Joint Response Cooperation Meeting for Regulatory Relaxation in the Border Area between Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do [Gangwon-do]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangwon Province and Gyeonggi Province held the "Gangwon-Gyeonggi Border Area Regulation Relaxation Joint Response Cooperation Meeting" on the 18th at the Pocheon Hantangang World Geopark Center, agreeing to jointly cooperate on relaxing military regulations in the border area and promoting the Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail development project.

Both sides discussed joint cooperation plans for the prompt promotion of the "Hantangang Columnar Jointing Trail Development Project," which aims to complete a total 120 km long columnar jointing trail connecting Cheorwon in Gangwon Province with Pocheon and Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province.

In particular, they agreed to consider forming a "(tentative name) Hantangang World Geopark Integrated Management Organization," involving five local governments: Gangwon Province, Gyeonggi Province, Cheorwon, Yeoncheon, and Pocheon.

The cooperation organization aims to facilitate smooth promotion of joint linked projects related to work, including organization and budget management.

Additionally, they decided to strengthen the economic self-reliance foundation for border area residents who have long suffered from regulations by developing tourism resources utilizing the Hantangang River.

Both local governments plan to continuously consult by holding occasional or regular meetings on the promotion plan of ultra-wide area cooperation projects centered on the border area, including sustainable development of the Hantangang River, response to military regulations, and infrastructure expansion.

Choi Bok-su, Deputy Governor of Gangwon Province, said, "Residents of the border areas between Gangwon Province and Gyeonggi Province must now actively demand the relaxation of military regulations from related local governments in line with the rapidly changing security environment and defense reform."

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by Choi Bok-su, Deputy Governor of Gangwon Province; Lee Han-gyu, Deputy Governor for Administration 2 of Gyeonggi Province; Shin In-cheol, Acting Mayor of Cheorwon County; Jeong Deok-chae, Acting Mayor of Pocheon; Park Jong-min, Acting Mayor of Yeoncheon County; Gangwon Research Institute; Gyeonggi Research Institute; and related officials.