Dongducheon City Submits Key Demands for Compensation and Support in Presidential Election Pledges
"42% US Military Base Land," GTX Extension, Medical School Establishment, and More
Essential Tasks for Survival and New Growth
Dongducheon City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Park Hyungdeok) announced on May 19 that it has officially submitted a proposal to the presidential election camps of both major parties, outlining 10 key local issues and requesting that these be included as pledges in the 22nd presidential election.
The proposal includes demands for compensation for the sacrifices Dongducheon has made over decades to maintain national security and the South Korea-US alliance, as well as core local issues that require legislative and institutional improvements and central government funding.
Dongducheon City particularly emphasized that 42% of its total area has been provided as a US military base for 74 years, highlighting the resulting annual tax revenue loss of approximately 30 billion won and total economic damage amounting to 527.8 billion won. The city identified compensation and comprehensive countermeasures for these losses as its top priority.
As infrastructure expansion projects aimed at improving residential conditions for citizens and promoting balanced regional development, the proposal includes: installation of entrance and exit ramps in the Pocheon direction at the Bukyangju IC on the Second Ring Expressway; early approval for extension of the GTX-C line to Dongducheon; increased service on the Gyeongwon Line and direct operation with Line 1; and construction of the South-North Expressway.
Projects urgently requiring central government funding include the urban regeneration project for the Dongducheon Jungang Station area, which is currently a red-light district, and the establishment of the Dongducheon Convergence Technology Education Center at Korea Polytechnic University.
Additionally, the city proposed institutional and legislative improvements such as designating a medical school in northern Gyeonggi Province, expanding areas eligible for the 'Second Home' special exemption, and designating an Opportunity Development Zone (Peace Economy Special Zone).
Dongducheon City stated that despite its long-standing sacrifices for the nation, the area continues to suffer from deteriorating residential conditions and economic stagnation due to various regulations and a lack of essential infrastructure. The city stressed the urgent need for national-level policy consideration and substantial support to overcome these challenges.
An official from Dongducheon City said, "National support is essential for Dongducheon to overcome its structural constraints caused by the presence of US military bases and to improve residential conditions. We hope that the major political parties will recognize this reality and include these issues in their national policy agendas."
Dongducheon City plans to continue its advocacy efforts in line with upcoming visits by presidential candidates to the region and the announcement of party-specific pledges.
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