Gyeonggi Province and Kyungmin University Hold Seminar on Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province

Discussion on Changes in Healthcare and Tourism
Exploring Directions for Regional Development

Gyeonggi Province and Kyungmin University announced on the 27th that they held a relay seminar on the 26th under the theme of 'Establishment of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province.'

The seminar, co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province and Kyungmin University, was attended by about 150 people including Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province; Hong Ji-yeon, President of Kyungmin University; Kim Dong-geun, Mayor of Uijeongbu; local community figures; academic experts; residents; and students. The seminar was conducted under the theme of 'The Necessity of Establishing the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province in the Fields of Health and Tourism.'

In the first session, Professor Cha Jae-bin of Kyungmin University presented on 'The Necessity of Establishing the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province in the Field of Health, Medical Care, and Welfare,' with Kim In-sik, Director of Industry-Academic Cooperation at Eulji University, serving as the chair for the discussion. Panelists included Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member Kim Jeong-young, Bucheon University Professor Kim Deok-young, Chairman Hyun Myung-jin of the Nanum Employment Welfare Foundation, Chairman Lee Ho-jik of the Myungji Association, and Kyungmin University Professor Kim Chang-yeol.

Professor Cha emphasized, "Northern Gyeonggi, which lacks health and medical infrastructure due to development restrictions, needs to establish independent health and medical policies through expanded autonomy." He explained that tailored services suited to Northern Gyeonggi’s characteristics, such as a high elderly population ratio, could improve medical accessibility through policies like home medical services for vulnerable groups, strengthening the visiting nurse system, supporting the conversion of small and medium hospitals into general hospitals, and establishing additional emergency medical centers.

In the second session, Professor Seo Yong-geon of Jeju University presented on 'Establishment of Special Self-Governing Provinces and Regional Revitalization.' Kim Hwan-cheol of Kyungmin University served as the chair, with panelists including Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member Oh Seok-gyu, Director Kim Hyung-woo of the Korean Peninsula Culture Research Institute, Research Fellow Jeong Dae-young of the Gyeonggi Research Institute, News Director Kim So-young of HelloVision Nara Broadcasting, and Director Lee Byung-mo of Sipdaeji-gi.

Professor Seo explained the successful case of Jeju Island’s tourism sector through the enactment of the 'Special Act on the Establishment of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Creation of an International Free City.' He stated, "Northern Gyeonggi can also promote the tourism industry by implementing customized tourism policies." He cited the attraction of a complex resort utilizing U.S. military bases stationed in Korea as an example.

Hong Ji-yeon, President of Kyungmin University, mentioned the necessity of establishing a special self-governing province, noting that "Northern Gyeonggi has a weak industrial and corporate base."

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Despite Northern Gyeonggi being the third largest in population among metropolitan local governments nationwide, it has not sufficiently developed, lacking even a tertiary general hospital," and added, "I hope this time will be an opportunity to think together about what is needed for Northern Gyeonggi to develop and to share opinions."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province plans to continuously hold seminars with universities and local communities in the Northern Gyeonggi region, such as Shinhan University and Korea Aerospace University, to discuss and build consensus on the development direction of the Northern Gyeonggi area.