Uijeongbu-si, Citizens' Deliberation Forum Inauguration Ceremony for Selection of Reserve Forces Training Ground Relocation Site

Mayor Kim Dong-geun Holds 1st Operations Committee Meeting

Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Dong-geun is holding the "Citizen Public Forum Launch Ceremony and the 1st Steering Committee Meeting" on the 24th to select the site for relocating the reserve forces training center in Howon-dong.

Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) held the "Citizen Deliberation Forum Inauguration Ceremony and the 1st Steering Committee Meeting" on the 24th at the City Hall Talent Development Education Center to select the site for relocating the Howon-dong Reserve Forces Training Center.

Earlier, the city announced in August that the site for relocating the Reserve Forces Training Center would be decided through a "Citizen Deliberation Forum," which involves democratic participation and thorough deliberation by citizens. Since then, to facilitate the smooth operation of the Citizen Deliberation Forum, four preparatory meetings have been held since September.

The preparatory meetings gathered resident representatives, civil society members, experts, journalists, and observers wishing to participate to provide preliminary explanations and discussions on ▲the background and progress of the decision to install the Reserve Forces Training Center within the district ▲potential locations for the training center ▲site selection procedures and methods ▲measures to reduce resident damage and support plans.

Actual residents from each area participated to listen to opinions and hold Q&A sessions, preparing the Citizen Deliberation Forum based on substantial resident feedback.

The newly formed Citizen Deliberation Forum Steering Committee will decide on related matters such as ▲reviewing the discussions of the preparatory committee ▲establishing the purpose and operating principles of the Citizen Deliberation Forum ▲composition of the forum (advisory group, verification group, member group, etc.) ▲selection of forum agenda ▲formation of the citizen participation group.

Park Tae-soon, the representative in charge of the Citizen Deliberation Forum (Standing Representative of the Korea Deliberation Forum), stated, "We will strive to reach social consensus through sufficient deliberation with voluntary participation of citizens, aiming to resolve social conflicts."

Mayor Kim Dong-geun said, "Over the past two years, we have pursued continuous consultations with the Ministry of National Defense and neighboring local governments based on the principle of relocating outside the district. However, due to the refusal of other local governments to accept the site and the overarching justification of national security, it has become inevitable to maintain the training center within the district. I apologize for this matter," adding, "We will spare no support to ensure that the site is reasonably decided through a transparent and fair process led by citizens to prevent further conflicts between the military and government, among regions, and among citizens."

To help citizens understand the Citizen Deliberation Forum, the city will open a promotional space on the City Hall website to quickly provide related information to citizens. By accessing the City Hall website and clicking in order on ▲Information by field ▲Architecture, Housing, Redevelopment ▲Howon-dong Reserve Forces Training Center Citizen Deliberation Forum, citizens can check the details.