Mayor Lim Byeongtaek of Siheung: "Lifting Greenbelt on 1.2 Million Pyeong in Jeongwang District to Foster Bio Hub"

3rd Anniversary of the 8th Civil Administration:
"Full Commitment to Bio Industry Development and Tourism & Leisure Revitalization"
"Persuading for Groundbreaking of the Second Ring Expressway and Government Support to Revitalize Turtle Island Commercial Area"

"Based on the successful attraction of businesses, I will ensure the lifting of development restrictions (greenbelt) on 1.2 million pyeong around the Jeongwang district."

Im Byeongtaek, mayor of Siheung, is explaining the direction of the city administration for the fourth year of his term at the '3rd Anniversary Press Conference of the 8th Civil Election' held on the 24th. Provided by Siheung City

Lim Byeongtaek, mayor of Siheung City in Gyeonggi Province, has set the expansion of bio company attraction and the revitalization of tourism and leisure around Lake Sihwa as the final goals for the fourth year of the 8th civil administration, aiming for local economic recovery.

At the '3rd Anniversary Press Conference of the 8th Civil Election' held at Neumnae Hall in City Hall on the 24th, Mayor Lim outlined his plans for the fourth year. He stated, "Building on the foundation we have laid so far, we will leap forward as K-Siheung, a leading city in Korea," and presented "AI-bio convergence city" and "marine leisure tourism city" as the core visions to drive the city's future.

To achieve these goals, the city plans to accelerate the creation of a national advanced bio cluster where industry, academia, research, hospitals, and government converge at the highest global level, in the Baegot district, which is part of the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, to establish an advanced bio city combining AI and bio industries. The Baegot district is set to host the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), Chong Kun Dang, and Seoul National University Hospital, among others.

The city also plans to speed up the creation of an advanced startup ecosystem by linking Wolgot Station Area, a supra-regional AI-bio hub, and Jeongwang district, an AI-bio advanced industrial complex, with the Baegot district. For Wolgot Station Area, after construction begins in the second half of the year, the city will proceed with a development plan change approval next year and then begin full-scale development.

In particular, for the Jeongwang district, the city will focus its capabilities on ensuring that the lifting of greenbelt restrictions on 1.2 million pyeong can be achieved next year, based on proactive attraction of bio companies.

Siheung Smart Hub plans to conduct a study this year to develop strategies for fostering the materials, parts, and equipment industries.

Mayor Lim believes that, in order to revitalize the stagnant commercial areas around Lake Sihwa, including Turtle Island, support from the central government is essential in addition to the efforts of the local government. Through these efforts, Mayor Lim reaffirmed his commitment to developing Lake Sihwa into a leading marine leisure and tourism hub in Korea.

He emphasized, "Due to COVID-19, the originally planned private investment was suspended, and changes in consumption patterns have caused difficulties for businesses around Turtle Island. To revive these stagnant commercial areas, I will do everything possible to secure support measures not only from the central government but also from Korea Water Resources Corporation, the project operator."

Mayor Lim also stressed, "Expanding transportation networks is an urgent task for revitalizing the Turtle Island commercial area. I will continue to persuade the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other government agencies so that the delayed construction of the Second Metropolitan Area Ring Expressway can begin as soon as possible."

In addition, Mayor Lim plans to actively promote the tourism infrastructure of Lake Sihwa and Turtle Island, and expand the MICE industry by hosting events such as the Sihwa Lake Marine Environment Culture Festival (2026) and the International Future Marine City Expo (2027).

The city will also focus its efforts on successfully hosting the 'WSL Siheung Korea Open International Surfing Competition,' scheduled to open on July 18, and the 'National Marine Sports Festival,' to be held on August 30.

Mayor Lim stated, "With the happiness of citizens as our top priority, we will continue to lead the future with innovative technology and move toward a sustainable city that coexists with nature, fulfilling our responsibilities until the very end of the 8th civil administration."