Kim Dong-geun: "We Will Create a Business-Friendly Environment"
Yonghyeon Industrial Complex Transforms into a Future-Oriented High-Tech Industrial Hub
Change Begins with the Attraction of a Data Center and LH Northern Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters
Transformation Accelerates with Major Improvements to Worker-Centered Living Conditions
Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) is actively promoting an advancement project to transform Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, the only industrial complex in the region, into a future-oriented high-tech industrial complex.
Mayor Kim Dong-geun is visiting G-Tech International Co., Ltd. (CEO Han Seong-woo), a venture company in Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, on the 21st to review the status of product development. Photo by Uijeongbu City
According to Uijeongbu City on the 21st, leveraging the attraction of a data center and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) Northern Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters, the city plans to enhance industrial competitiveness, improve living conditions for workers, and revitalize the local economy.
Since its establishment in 2000, Yonghyeon Industrial Complex has housed 128 companies with about 2,000 employees, encompassing various industries such as textiles, assembled metals, and machinery equipment, serving as a driving force for regional industrial development.
However, its competitiveness has sharply declined due to aging facilities, lack of worker convenience facilities, and limitations on expansion caused by cultural heritage regulations.
In response, the city has launched a full-scale advancement project to reorganize Yonghyeon Industrial Complex into a "vibrant space where youth and new industries gather."
In January 2023, Uijeongbu City fired the starting signal for change by signing an agreement to attract a cloud data center within Yonghyeon Industrial Complex.
The data center, a core infrastructure of the information technology (IT) industry ecosystem, is expected to play a crucial role in Uijeongbu's leap toward becoming a smart industrial city.
Additionally, the mammoth organization Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) Northern Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters has moved into Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, becoming the central hub overseeing housing welfare projects and development projects across 13 cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi. This is expected to be an important turning point for Uijeongbu to establish itself as an administrative and industrial hub in northern Gyeonggi.
The biggest obstacle in the advancement process of Yonghyeon Industrial Complex was building regulations due to the cultural heritage protection zone. Approximately 84% of the complex's area is included in the protection zone of General Jeong Mun-bu's tomb, restricting construction activities.
Accordingly, the city actively pursued amendments to the Gyeonggi Province Cultural Heritage Protection Ordinance, and after continuous proposals and on-site inspections, successfully led the ordinance revision in July last year. As a result, the area excluded from building regulations has been significantly expanded, which is expected to greatly improve investment conditions for companies.
Furthermore, with simplified building permit procedures and shortened project durations, a foundation has been laid for more active attraction of high-tech industries and new investments by companies.
Uijeongbu City is promoting various residential environment improvement projects to transform Yonghyeon Industrial Complex into a "people-centered space," not just a simple industrial area.
For the convenience of employees, the number of parking spaces has been expanded from 143 to 235, and a commuter bus connecting Dobongsan Station and Yonghyeon Industrial Complex has been operated to improve commuting conditions. Additionally, for environmental improvement, 170 light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights have been replaced, and a healing walking trail has been created so that workers can work in a more pleasant environment.
Moreover, to enhance workers' quality of life, regular busking performances and cultural programs are being operated, and cultural spaces that allow communication with the local community within the industrial complex are being established. In the future, a complex cultural center will be built to provide workers with leisure and rest, transforming the industrial complex into a space where life and culture coexist, not just a workplace.
The core goal of the Yonghyeon Industrial Complex advancement project is to establish a sustainable job creation base through corporate attraction.
High-quality jobs created by companies increase urban income, which in turn leads to improvements in residential infrastructure. In such livable cities, a virtuous cycle naturally forms where young talents desired by companies gather.
To this end, the city is actively attracting high-tech industries with high future growth potential such as artificial intelligence (AI), information and communication technology (ICT), and biotechnology, and is creating a sustainable industrial ecosystem through startup support and customized corporate policies.
Additionally, the city strives to directly listen to the voices from the field and reflect them in policies so that local companies can introduce innovative technologies and enhance competitiveness.
On the 21st, Mayor Kim Dong-geun visited G-Tech International Co., Ltd. (CEO Han Seong-woo), a venture company within Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, to inspect the site and listen to corporate difficulties. G-Tech International produces electronic scales, medical devices, and industrial systems, continuously developing products utilizing advanced technologies.
In particular, Mayor Kim examined the status of product development incorporating AI technology, discussed industrial trends and development potential, and sought practical support measures needed by the company.
Mayor Kim Dong-geun is communicating with employees during his visit to G-Tech International Co., Ltd., a venture company in Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, on the 21st. Photo by Uijeongbu City
He also held a roundtable meeting with workers, exchanging various opinions on improving working conditions and expanding residential environments, expressing his commitment to creating an industrial environment where companies and workers can grow together.
Mayor Kim Dong-geun said, "Uijeongbu City aims to become a self-sufficient city that simultaneously leads job creation and revitalization of the local economy by creating a business-friendly environment. We will continue to attract innovative companies and provide active support to make Yonghyeon Industrial Complex a center of high-tech industries and develop it as the economic hub of northern Gyeonggi."
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