Specialized Metropolitan City, Commitment to Policy Autonomy and Speed
Yongin to Expedite 'Semiconductor Highway' Project
Establishment of 'Semiconductor Meister High School' and Cultural Facilities
Reiterated Importance of Public Discussion Forums
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 25th, "We will actively support the enactment of the 'Special Act on Support for Special Cities (tentative name)' to enable the four major special cities?Yongin, Suwon, Goyang, and Changwon?to carry out administration befitting special cities by expanding their authority and establishing systematic urban development plans."
On the same day, President Yoon presided over the 23rd Public Livelihood Forum under the theme "Yongin Special City, the New Growth Engine Hub of the Republic of Korea" at Yongin City Hall in Gyeonggi Province. He said, "In the future, advanced companies and talents will grow in Yongin's semiconductor cluster."
President Yoon said, "Before taking office, I visited Yongin and promised to make Yongin Special City a high-tech science city and a city leading the development of the Republic of Korea," adding, "We have announced and are actively promoting the plan to create the world's largest semiconductor mega cluster centered on Yongin." He particularly noted, "Out of the approximately 622 trillion won investment, about 500 trillion won is expected to be invested in Yongin," expressing his expectation that Yongin will leap forward as the hub of Korea's new growth engine.
He also explained the significance of holding the Public Livelihood Forum in Yongin, a basic local government. President Yoon emphasized, "No matter how good the central government’s policies are, if public services such as jobs, housing, health, and welfare are not properly implemented at the basic local government level?the government institution citizens first encounter?citizens cannot enjoy the benefits."
About 100 people attended the forum, including officials from the four special cities of Yongin, Suwon, Goyang, and Changwon, as well as citizens residing in Yongin, businesspeople, office workers, and local artists. From the government, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Gyeonggi Provincial Superintendent of Education Lim Tae-hee, and Mayor of Yongin Special City Lee Sang-il participated. From the Presidential Office, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop, and Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Jang Sang-yoon were present.
The Presidential Office stated that holding the Public Livelihood Forum at the basic local government level, unlike before, reflects the government's intention to be closer to the people and address regional issues and livelihood matters.
Transfer of Metropolitan Government Authority to Special Cities … Yoon: "Will Enact 'Special Act on Support for Special Cities'"
President Yoon mentioned that Yongin has been one of the regions with the highest population growth in Korea over the past 30 years. He explained that Yongin, which started anew as a special city on January 13, 2022, will develop into a global semiconductor production hub and the center of the IT industry representing Korea.
President Yoon will first expand the authority of the four major special cities, including Yongin, by enacting the 'Special Act on Support for Special Cities' to enable them to carry out administration befitting special cities. He plans to establish a support system so that strategic industries and urban development plans can be properly formulated. Simplifying the policy delivery system is essential for efficient policy execution.
President Yoon said, "For example, authorities such as the basic plan for remodeling apartment complexes and approval for constructing high-rise buildings are currently under the jurisdiction of metropolitan governments, but it is appropriate to transfer these authorities to special cities," adding, "Special cities are already metropolitanized and know the local circumstances and conditions best." He promised to transfer the authority to approve arboretum and garden creation plans to special cities, which understand local circumstances and conditions best.
In his closing remarks, President Yoon emphasized, "It is important to simplify the circulation and delivery system of policies and to enable quick decision-making and execution of policies. Therefore, we will definitely promote the Special Act on Support for Special Cities so that metropolitanized special cities can autonomously develop their cities with maximum support from the central government."
Expansion of Transportation, Housing, and Culture to Prepare for Rapid Population Growth... Swift Promotion of Semiconductor Highway
President Yoon emphasized the importance of expanding transportation and housing infrastructure as the population is expected to increase to 1.5 million with the establishment of the semiconductor cluster, national industrial complex, and new town in Yongin. To this end, he plans to promptly construct the Yongin I-dong residential district announced at the end of last year.
He also envisions creating a "residential cultural complex town," a combination of a silver town and a young town, in suburban and less populated township areas, allowing young generations, early career workers, and retired generations working in Yongin to live together harmoniously.
The privately funded "Semiconductor Highway" project will also be promoted swiftly. President Yoon said, "We will complete the feasibility study by the end of this year and proceed with the project in earnest, including selecting the operator." To meet the increased transportation demand due to industrial complex occupancy, he promised to expand National Road No. 45 and actively promote the construction of connected railway networks such as the Indeokwon-Dongtan Line and Gyeonggang Line for residents' commuting convenience. For existing companies that must relocate due to the designation of the national industrial complex site, relocation measures such as providing alternative sites will be prepared to ensure no disruption to business activities.
To ensure Yongin's sustainable development, improvements in soft infrastructure such as education and culture will also be pursued. President Yoon stated, "We will promptly promote the establishment of the 'Semiconductor Meister High School' that Yongin City desires, supporting advanced facilities and top-tier educational programs to nurture core talents who will work in semiconductor companies."
Furthermore, the central government’s authority will be significantly transferred to allow the city to freely establish a municipal museum and municipal art center. He explained that a city with a population of 1.5 million cannot become a "dead city" if it cannot meet the demand for culture and arts. In his closing remarks, President Yoon urged, "For many young people to come here and freely engage in creative activities, many exhibitions and performances where they can present their work must be created, and the city should be allowed to do this more freely."
Yoon: "Will Fulfill 100% of Pledges by End of Term"… Emphasizes Importance of Public Livelihood Forums
In his closing remarks, President Yoon consistently emphasized the purpose and importance of the Public Livelihood Forum. He said, "I have created a board in my office with all the pledges I made during the election and national tasks, and I plan to fulfill 100% of them, including small local pledges, before leaving office," adding, "The Public Livelihood Forum is actually an extension of that." This statement was made to counter criticism from opposition parties such as the Democratic Party, which labeled the forum as a "general election tool" or "government-led election," emphasizing that it is a separate matter.
He continued, "We also discuss new proposals, but it can be said that this is an event to check the implementation of my pledges and national tasks," adding, "When the semiconductor mega cluster in Yongin, which was criticized as mere lip service to gain votes during the last presidential election, is concretely planned and promoted, I feel deeply moved."
Earlier in his opening remarks, President Yoon mentioned the price policies and implementation measures discussed at the first Public Livelihood Forum held on January 4. He said, "The first Public Livelihood Forum with the people was held right here in Yongin on January 4 this year. Under the theme of a vibrant livelihood economy, I remember announcing an 11 trillion won support package for price stabilization and living expenses for the underprivileged, along with a separate three-part package to reduce electricity bills, interest, and tax burdens for small business owners," adding, "Since then, we have worked closely with the financial sector to prepare a 2.3 trillion won interest reduction plan. Last month, banks provided a total of 1.3455 trillion won in cashback, up to 3 million won per person. From the 18th of this month, the secondary financial sector will also accept applications and return up to 1.5 million won per person, totaling an additional 300 billion won."
He also mentioned that measures such as a 500 billion won small business refinancing loan and an annual 200,000 won electricity bill support, which were discussed at the Public Livelihood Forum, are being promptly implemented. He emphasized, "We are breaking down barriers between ministries and departments focusing on livelihood tasks and continuously accelerating the pace of policy implementation so that the public can feel the effects immediately."
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