Mayor Kim Kyung-il: "We Will Overcome Border Area Limits and Emerge as a Global Advanced Business Hub"

Paju Selected as Additional Candidate Site for Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone
Secures Strong Momentum for Rapid Entry into a Self-Sufficient City of One Million

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 16th that it was finally selected in the 'Additional Designation Candidate Site Contest for Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone' promoted by Gyeonggi Province.

Paju City was finally selected in the 'Additional Designation of Gyeonggi Economic Free Zone Candidate Sites' promoted by Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Paju City

This contest started with the plan announcement in January, followed by document screening in February, on-site inspection and final evaluation (internal review) in March and April. Among the five local governments participating?Paju, Suwon, Gwangmyeong, Uijeongbu, and Yangju?three sites including Paju, Suwon, and Uijeongbu were finally selected.

Paju City has been promoting the designation of a free economic zone as a core strategy to realize one of the three major administrative goals of the 8th elected administration, "Rapid Entry into a Self-Sufficient City of One Million," and with this candidate site selection, the city has secured strong momentum to realize its self-sufficient city vision.

Once designated as a free economic zone, various incentives such as tax benefits and subsidies will be provided to foreign-invested companies and domestic returning companies to activate corporate attraction, creating quality jobs. Additionally, the improvement of residential conditions through complex development integrating various urban functions such as housing, commerce, education, and medical services is expected to accelerate the realization of the goal of entering a self-sufficient city of one million by promoting active population inflow.

Paju plans to develop the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone candidate site, Paju District, located in the Gyohadong area, into a mecca of advanced industries concentrated on ultra-gap displays, media and content, and advanced medical and bio industries. Through this, the existing manufacturing-based industrial foundation will be transformed into an industrial ecosystem centered on advanced industries, securing a century-long livelihood for Paju as a self-sufficient city of one million.

In addition, the city plans to establish a complex development plan that integrates various urban functions prepared to improve residential conditions, ensuring no shortcomings in securing core elements such as nurturing and supplying talent, which is essential for improving educational conditions through attracting international schools and universities and for the sustainability of the industrial ecosystem.

Mayor Kim Kyung-il of Paju said, "Paju is promoting the designation of a free economic zone and a peace economy special zone as core strategies to realize 'Rapid Entry into a Self-Sufficient City of One Million.' This is a key driving force that can transform the limitations of a border area into new growth potential." He added, "Having successfully passed the first gateway for the designation of the free economic zone, we will now devote all efforts to attracting companies and lay the foundation for Paju to leap forward as a global advanced business hub in the northwest of Gyeonggi Province."

Following this candidate site selection, Paju City plans to establish a development plan together with Gyeonggi Province by 2027. The final designation of the free economic zone is expected to proceed through administrative procedures such as application for designation to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, inter-ministerial consultation, designation evaluation, and deliberation and resolution by the Free Economic Zone Committee.