Yangju City Approaching Population of 300,000, Emerging as a Central City in Northern Gyeonggi Province

Currently 285,930 people... Including foreigners, the population may reach 300,000 by year-end
Expected to increase to 500,000 after completion of Hoecheon New Town occupancy and development projects
Last year, highest population growth rate nationwide... Also ranked 3rd in birth rate nationwide

Kang Su-hyun, Mayor of Yangju City.

Yangju City, the center of northern Gyeonggi Province with a proud history of 629 years, is emerging as a mid-sized city in the Seoul metropolitan area with a population of 300,000.

Currently, Yangju's population has steadily increased, reaching 285,930 as of September, and including the number of foreigners, it is expected to surpass 300,000 by the end of this year or early next year.

Yangju recorded the highest population growth rate nationwide in last year's Population and Housing Census announced by Statistics Korea and ranked third in birth rate nationwide. Among cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi Province, Yangju is the only one where the number of births has increased compared to five years ago.

In particular, Yangju has seen an influx of relatively young people aged 30 to 49, greatly contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

The main reasons for Yangju's population growth include the development of Okjeong and Hoecheon new towns and improved transportation, which have enhanced accessibility to Seoul and the metropolitan area. Once the Hoecheon new town is fully occupied and various development projects are completed, the population is expected to increase to 500,000.

In response to this population growth, Yangju is making various efforts for sustainable growth through balanced east-west development, expansion of infrastructure, and welfare support.

■ Support by Generation, Efforts to Create a Society Where Work and Family Coexist

Selected as the first UNICEF Child-Friendly City in northern Gyeonggi Province last July, Yangju is accelerating policies to create a city where children can live well by implementing various support policies befitting this status.

By promoting pregnancy and childbirth-related projects such as first meeting gift voucher support, prenatal education programs, and medical expense support for infertility treatment discontinuation, Yangju is fostering a childbirth-friendly atmosphere. Through various childcare support policies such as operating the Yangju Childcare Comprehensive Support Center, Family Center, Moa (Dagachi) Daycare Center, a daycare center exclusively for infants aged 0, establishing community care centers, providing infant care fees and child allowances, and offering elementary school enrollment congratulatory money, the city is reducing the childcare cost burden on families and creating an environment where more families can have and raise children.

Efforts are also being made to support the youth. Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the Yangju Youth Center supports various employment and entrepreneurship programs so that young people can settle in the region and plan their futures, and promotes region-led youth job projects. In addition, policies covering all generations, including support for single-person households and the elderly, are being implemented to create a city where all generations can be happy together.

■ Job Creation and Improvement of Residential Conditions Including Comprehensive Transportation

Yangju City, a pilot area for the Education Development Special Zone, has selected three schools for Autonomous Public High School 2.0.

In line with the population increase due to the development of Okjeong and Hoecheon districts, Yangju is promoting the development of Yangju Station area, Yangju Technovalley, and Eunnam General Industrial Complex to achieve balanced development in northern Gyeonggi Province and create jobs.

Yangju Technovalley, being developed on about 70,000 pyeong in Majon-dong, Yangju, is actively attracting companies and has consecutively signed investment agreements with major companies and organizations such as the Northern Gyeonggi Chamber of Commerce, Venture Business Association, and Cass Co., Ltd. The Yangju Station area development project, aimed at creating a future-oriented convergence city with self-sustaining functions, plans to have a total of 3,782 households move in starting with private apartment sales this year. By 2028, it is expected to grow into a new growth engine for Yangju with 10,000 residents.

The Eunnam General Industrial Complex, which began construction in September last year and is currently under construction, is expected to contribute to the revitalization of the western region's economy by forming a wide-area transportation network that strengthens access to Seoul and the metropolitan area for resident companies.

Accordingly, Yangju City signed a business agreement with Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation and Gyeonggi Environment and Energy Promotion Agency to create the first carbon-neutral industrial complex in northern Gyeonggi Province, laying the foundation for building an eco-friendly industrial complex model. On the 15th, the city also signed a 500 billion KRW occupancy agreement with anchor company Asung Daiso Co., Ltd., solidifying their commitment to win-win cooperation.

To improve citizens' mobility, transportation network expansion is actively underway. Road network expansion includes the Seoul-Yangju Expressway and the Metropolitan Area 2nd Ring Expressway, while railway network construction includes the GTX-C line, Okjeong-Pocheon metropolitan railroad construction, and the resumption of the Gyoeoseon line, establishing a comprehensive transportation network. Additionally, demand-responsive smart buses have been introduced, and new metropolitan buses from Baekseok to Jamsil in the western region have been added following the metropolitan buses from the eastern region to Seoul, enhancing transportation convenience for citizens.

■ Securing Living Infrastructure Such as Medical Care and Education

Bird's-eye view of the public medical center.

Yangju, which needed improvement in medical infrastructure due to the absence of a large general hospital, was selected as the site for the Gyeonggi Northeast Public Medical Center after actively competing for the project in February. Thanks to thorough preparation and the citizens' wishes, Yangju will now promote an innovative public hospital integrating medical care and caregiving with over 400 beds.

To improve education in northern Gyeonggi and enhance the quality of Yangju's educational administrative services, Yangju is making efforts such as visiting related institutions to establish a separate education support office. Recently, Yangju was selected as a pilot area for the Education Development Special Zone, which will improve the quality of public education, foster local talent, and establish a residential foundation. Consequently, three schools were recently selected for Autonomous Public High School 2.0, accelerating educational innovation and regional development. Additionally, efforts are underway to create an excellent educational environment through the establishment of the Gyeonggi 2nd Arts Creation Center and the formation of an industry-academia council.

Mayor Kang Su-hyun of Yangju stated, “During the 8th term of the elected government, we will ensure that ongoing development projects, education, medical care, and other major projects proceed smoothly so that Yangju can grow into the central city of northern Gyeonggi with a population of 500,000. We will strive to make it a city where everyone wants to live and a city full of charm.”