Gapyeong County Launches Resident Participation Research Group for Border Area Development Blueprint

The First Step Toward Designing the Future Direction of Regional Development Together with Residents

Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province, which was designated as a border area in March 2025, has taken its first step toward drawing up a blueprint for regional development together with local residents.

Seo Taewon, Gapyeong County Governor (center front row), is taking a commemorative photo after holding the "Resident Participation Research Group Launch Ceremony" on the 27th at the county office's large conference room as part of the comprehensive development plan establishment project for the border area of Gapyeong County. Provided by Gapyeong County

On June 27, Gapyeong County (Governor Seo Taewon) held the "Resident Participation Research Group Launch Ceremony" at the county office's large conference room as part of the comprehensive development plan establishment project for the border area of Gapyeong County, the county announced on June 30.

The event was attended by 52 citizen committee members, as well as Governor Seo Taewon, Gapyeong County Council Chairman Kim Kyungsoo, and other council members, officially launching a resident cooperation system for regional development.

This launch ceremony marks the first step in discussing and designing the future development direction of Gapyeong County together with residents. In the first meeting held immediately after the ceremony, participants engaged in group discussions and presented their opinions by division. The research group shared local issues and discussed various proposals for strategic projects by region and sector.

The Resident Participation Research Group consists of experts and individuals familiar with local issues from among the residents of the six towns and townships: Gapyeong-eup, Seorak-myeon, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Sang-myeon, Jojong-myeon, and Buk-myeon. Until December 2025, the group plans to engage in in-depth discussions and policy proposals on key areas such as living conditions, culture and tourism, and industry and economy.

The county plans to ensure that the activities of the Resident Participation Research Group do not end with merely gathering opinions, but are actually reflected in substantive policies and projects. The second regular meeting is scheduled for September 2025, and a resident public hearing will be held in October 2025. In addition, a policy discussion forum on social networking services (SNS) will be operated continuously.

Governor Seo Taewon stated, "It is important to work together with residents to develop new growth strategies for the county following its designation as a border area," and added, "We will actively support the ideas of the Resident Participation Research Group so that they can be reflected in practical development policies for the county in the future."

Meanwhile, the government revised the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Support for Border Areas in March 2025 to include Gapyeong County as a border area. As a result, Gapyeong County can now receive national-level support, including national funding and special projects.