Busan Gijang County Launches "Pungsan Relocation Task Force Team" for Jangan-eup Move... Takes Firm Action

Gijang County in Busan has launched a comprehensive response regarding the planned relocation of the defense company Pungsan to Jangan-eup.

On June 20, the county formed the "Pungsan Relocation Task Force Team," led by Mayor Jung Jongbok and comprised of 17 related departments and five towns and townships. The team held its first meeting on the morning of June 23 in the county office briefing room.

This task force was urgently established immediately after Busan City sent an official letter to Gijang County on June 19 requesting opinions on the Pungsan relocation. The county expressed regret over this unilateral notification, which excluded both residents and the local government from the process.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Jung and approximately 30 other officials, including department heads. They thoroughly reviewed the potential impacts of the Pungsan relocation in areas such as the environment, transportation, and safety, as well as any possible violations of relevant laws and regulations. The county plans to analyze the various ripple effects that could arise if a large defense facility is located in Gijang County from multiple perspectives and to develop response strategies for each department accordingly.

Mayor Jung Jongbok stated, "The issue of the Pungsan relocation is a matter of utmost importance directly linked to the very existence of Gijang County. We absolutely cannot accept a relocation without consultation with our residents, and we will actively respond by mobilizing all available legal and administrative means." He added, "Moving forward, we will broadly gather opinions from residents of Jangan-eup, as well as from citizens, institutions, and organizations, to establish effective response measures."

Gijang County plans to hold resident briefings and meetings on key issues related to the Pungsan relocation in the future, and will strongly reflect the position of county residents in discussions with Busan City.