Kim Announces Metropolitan Area Pledges...
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Relocate to Incheon
Establishment of Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province and Gangwon Peace Special Self-Governing Province
Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a preliminary presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, stated on April 22, "I will relocate the National Assembly building to Sejong and develop the current site into a Korean version of Central Park."
Governor Kim announced these metropolitan area pledges at his Yeouido campaign office that afternoon. He said, "I have promised that, upon taking office, I will immediately move both the presidential office and the National Assembly to Sejong." He added, "I will relocate the National Assembly building to Sejong and create a Korean version of Central Park on the vacated site. The historical significance of the National Assembly building will be preserved."
He also proposed relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Incheon. Governor Kim said, "I will make Incheon a specialized maritime city. While there is talk of moving the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, I have already pledged to develop Busan into an international financial hub." He continued, "I will relocate the ministry to Incheon and also attract institutions such as the National Maritime University and a specialized maritime court."
Governor Kim further stated, "I will push for the establishment of the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province." He explained, "The population of northern Gyeonggi has surpassed 3.3 million, and the region possesses well-preserved resources. Although northern Gyeonggi has faced overlapping regulations, it has its own competitiveness and very high capabilities." He asserted, "If the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province is established, our national GDP will increase by 0.3% annually."
He went on to say, "Currently, only the residents' referendum remains, but the process has been halted. The central government has not given any response, and before the general election, the People Power Party leader's mention of relocating to Seoul created an obstacle. However, if I become president, I will proceed with the Northern Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province as planned."
He also emphasized the importance of transportation innovation in the metropolitan area. Governor Kim said, "I will achieve one-hour commute times to every corner of the region. I will ensure the early completion and extension of GTX-A, B, and C lines, and will push ahead with D, E, and F lines without delay. I will also pursue the establishment of G and H lines." He added, "I will promote the extension and express service of urban railways, such as extending and upgrading Line 1, Line 9, the Shinbundang Line, and lines in the Gyeonggi and Incheon areas, and fully introducing express services to reduce travel times."
Finally, he said, "I will pursue the creation of a true Gangwon Peace Special Self-Governing Province as the center of peace on the Korean Peninsula." He continued, "By establishing the Cheorwon Peace Industrial Complex, I will promote it as a gateway for inter-Korean economic cooperation, and I will actively work to resume tourism to Mount Kumgang and expand inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation to improve inter-Korean relations." He also said, "To upgrade Jeju as a global tourism hub, I will work to establish a tourism agency and attract it to Jeju, and I will introduce an environmental conservation contribution (entrance fee) to return tourism profits to local residents."
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