Pocheon City Holds Kick-off Meeting for Research Service on Establishing Peace Economy Special Zone Plan

Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Young-hyun) announced on the 7th that it held a kickoff meeting for the "Study on Establishing a Plan for the Creation of a Peace Economy Special Zone" on the 6th at the city administration meeting room.

Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, is holding the kickoff briefing for the "Study on the Establishment Plan for the Peace Economy Special Zone" on the 6th at the city administration meeting room. Provided by Pocheon City

This study was conducted to designate a Peace Economy Special Zone centered around the Hantan River area, maximize the region's potential, and establish a foundation for sustainable development.

The meeting was attended by about 20 people, including Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, Yeon Je-chang, Vice Chairman of the Pocheon City Council, officials from Gyeonggi Province and Pocheon City, related organizations, and representatives from the research performing institution.

The Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Seoul National University, the research performing institution, presented the basic concept and promotion direction for creating the Pocheon Peace Economy Special Zone on that day.

The project will be carried out over 11 months until November, aiming to review the necessity and feasibility of designating the Peace Economy Special Zone, analyze the current status of Pocheon City, and establish a basic concept and development strategy.

In particular, it will focus on plans to utilize the Hantan River floodplain site as a tourism resource, activate tourism and economic exchanges between the South and North, and strategies to attract private investment.

Pocheon City has completed 18 projects with an investment of about 120 billion KRW in the Hantan River area and is currently carrying out 10 projects worth 70 billion KRW. All projects are planned to be completed by 2028. Based on the project achievements, the city plans to designate the Peace Economy Special Zone to create a new turning point for regional development.

Mayor Baek Young-hyun of Pocheon said, "The Hantan River is a proud asset of Korea, designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark," and added, "Last year, through the Pocheon Hantan River Garden Festa, we attracted about 300,000 tourists and generated an economic effect of 14.2 billion KRW. Through this study, we will develop the Hantan River into a world-class tourist destination."

He continued, "Even in the tense situation between the South and North, if we prepare thoroughly, we can seize the opportunity for change," and said, "Through the designation of the Peace Economy Special Zone, we will promote private investment and revitalize the local economy, becoming a world-class peace tourism city contributing to the establishment of international peace."

Meanwhile, Pocheon City plans to strengthen cooperation with citizens and related organizations following the launch of this study and will make continuous efforts to establish Pocheon as a world-class peace tourism city.