“Buron Industrial Complex Aims to Attract Excellent Companies and Upgrade Wonju Airport to an International Airport”

Won Gang-su, Mayor of Wonju, Announces Key New Year Policy Tasks in New Year's Address
"Efforts to Strengthen Internal Transportation Network and Create Wonjucheon Complex Leisure Space"

Won Gang-su (photo), Mayor of Wonju City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated in his New Year's address on the 26th, “We will overcome the unstable political and economic situation through bold progress, including completing the semiconductor ecosystem and proactively preparing for the expansion of the Seoul metropolitan area semiconductor mega cluster.”

In his New Year's address, Mayor Won first highlighted this year's achievements: ▲ Establishment of the four core semiconductor testbeds, ▲ Groundbreaking of the Buron General Industrial Complex after 15 years of delay, ▲ Full opening of the Eastern Ring Road, and ▲ Construction of The Art Gangwon Complex.

He then revealed the key tasks for the new year, saying, “We will achieve sustainable development through sound fiscal management and efficient investment by selection and concentration.” For ‘Wonju, the foremost economic city,’ he emphasized ▲ Completing the semiconductor ecosystem based on the establishment of the four core semiconductor testbeds, ▲ Actively attracting excellent companies to achieve a 90% sales rate of the Buron General Industrial Complex, ▲ Prompt financial investment to support small business owners and enterprises, ▲ Inclusion of Wonju Airport’s upgrade to an international airport in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s 7th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan, ▲ Strengthening internal transportation networks through the accelerated construction of the Eastern Ring Road, ▲ Responding to increased tourism demand in Wonju following the opening of the KTX Jungang Line, and ▲ Creating a complex leisure space at Wonjucheon Stream.

Finally, Mayor Won expressed his New Year's resolution: “In the coming year of Eulsa, I will do my best to realize Wonju City's infinite growth potential based on the solid foundation built during the two years of the 8th local government.”

▶ Below is the full text of Mayor Won Gang-su’s New Year's address

Dear 370,000 citizens of Wonju!

The year 2025, the Year of the Eulsa (乙巳), has dawned.

Receiving the energy of the Blue Snake year, I sincerely wish that you will wisely overcome any difficulties and that all your hopes will come true this year.

In the new year, Wonju City will vigorously move forward together with its citizens to achieve greater change and leap forward.

Last year was a year when Wonju reaped the fruits of two years of relentless effort. We successfully established the four core semiconductor testbeds in Wonju, which was once a barren land for the semiconductor industry. Additionally, the Buron General Industrial Complex, which had been stalled for 15 years, broke ground, and designation as a special development zone for opportunity brought greater momentum to attracting companies. Through the full opening of the Eastern Ring Road and the construction of The Art Gangwon Complex, Wonju took a step closer to becoming an economic city and a happy city where economy and residential conditions harmonize.

All of this was possible because of the trust, support, and encouragement from the citizens and the dedicated efforts of public officials on the front lines. I deeply thank you all.

In 2025, the Year of the Eulsa, Wonju will not be complacent but will leap higher. We will boldly advance and overcome the unstable political and economic situation. We will achieve sustainable development through sound fiscal management and efficient investment by selection and concentration. Moreover, even amid the crisis of local extinction, we will prove Wonju’s infinite potential and prepare for the next 100 years.

We will unwaveringly move toward becoming the foremost economic city.

Based on the successfully established four core semiconductor testbeds last year, we will complete the semiconductor ecosystem and proactively prepare for the expansion of the Seoul metropolitan area semiconductor mega cluster.

We will actively attract not only general companies but also excellent companies to achieve a 90% sales rate of the Buron General Industrial Complex. Furthermore, we will stepwise promote the creation of new industrial complexes with residential conditions and devote all efforts to building an industrial base.

In addition, through active support measures and prompt financial investment, we will actively promote the growth of small business owners and enterprises, the backbone of Wonju, and secure long-term growth engines for Wonju’s economy. Alongside this, we will prepare practical measures to revitalize the low-income economy and strive for the stabilization of people’s livelihoods.

We will solidify our status as a transportation hub with access in all directions.

We will actively promote the inclusion of Wonju Airport’s upgrade to an international airport in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s 7th Comprehensive Airport Development Plan.

We will accelerate the installation of the High Pass IC in Gwanseol-dong, the construction of connecting roads, and the Eastern Ring Road construction to strengthen the internal transportation network.

With the opening of the KTX Jungang Line dramatically improving accessibility to the Gyeongsang region, we will develop new tourism routes reflecting both stay-type tourism and day-trip travel demand, and ensure positive ripple effects on the overall local economy, including the Namwonju Station area.

We will take the lead in creating an urban environment for citizens’ happiness.

We will steadily promote the Wonjucheon Renaissance Project to create a complex leisure space at Wonjucheon Stream, the most familiar resting place for Wonju citizens, providing a sanctuary for all citizens.

We will install security lights and improve illumination in areas vulnerable to pedestrian safety to create a safe nighttime walking environment. Additionally, we will operate the disaster safety control room around the clock to build a citizen-centered safety environment.

We will speed up the construction of a large-scale indoor and outdoor playground for children in the Enterprise City, selected as a demonstration project for domestic wooden architecture.

Dear citizens of Wonju!

In the Year of the Eulsa, we will not stop in our efforts for Wonju’s happy transformation and will fulfill our responsibilities and mission. Based on the solid foundation built during the two years of the 8th local government, we will do our best to realize Wonju’s infinite growth potential. We ask for your continued generous support and cooperation.

May all your days in the Year of the Eulsa be filled with happiness.

Citizens of Wonju, Happy New Year!