Park Hyungdeok Announces Three-Year Achievements of the 8th Dongducheon Administration
From Transportation to Safety: Five Key Outcomes Felt by Citizens
GTX-C Extension Confirmed: Opening the Era of 30-Minute Commutes to Gangnam
Attracting the National Industrial Complex and Korea Polytechnics: Laying the Foundation for an Independent Industrial City
Marking the third anniversary of the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, shared the city’s achievements over the past three years with citizens, stating, "I will prove promises with action and change with results."
Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, is holding a pledge report meeting to promote the extension of GTX-C. Provided by Dongducheon City
Upon his inauguration on July 1, 2022, Mayor Park declared, "I will make Dongducheon a city full of vitality in every corner and be a mayor who empowers every citizen." Through this performance report, he emphasized that his promise has moved beyond a simple slogan and is now becoming a reality.
Dongducheon City is recognized for achieving tangible results in five key areas: transportation, education, economy, welfare, and safety. Mayor Park stated, "For the remaining year, I will maintain my original commitment and unwaveringly fulfill my pledges."
The most significant achievement in transportation for Dongducheon is undoubtedly the confirmation of the GTX-C line extension to Dongducheon. Announced officially by the government last year, this plan has dramatically reduced travel time between the Seoul metropolitan core and Dongducheon, marking a turning point for regional development. This means that Dongducheon, once a symbol of transportation isolation as the terminal station of Subway Line 1, now enters a new era of ultra-fast metropolitan transit, enabling travel to Samseong Station in Gangnam within 30 minutes via GTX-C.
Additionally, the city is simultaneously improving overall rail and road infrastructure, including installing a ramp for the Second Ring Expressway, increasing the frequency of Line 1 shuttle trains, and expanding the Gwangam-Shinbuk road.
Mayor Park Hyungdeok stated, "Over the past three years, I have always kept the expectations and support of citizens close to my heart and have carried out my duties responsibly every day," adding, "For the coming year, I will maintain my original resolve and, with the determination of 'grinding an axe into a needle' (mabuwichim), unwaveringly complete my pledges and key tasks to fulfill my promises to citizens."
In February last year, the Ministry of Education designated Dongducheon as a pilot area for the Educational Development Special Zone. Under the vision of 'Dream-Fulfilling Glocal Dongducheon,' the city is implementing tailored educational policies, with the 'Dongducheon Dream-Fulfilling Club,' an overseas study program for middle and high school students, as a representative initiative.
The city's own educational projects also stand out. The 'Dongducheon Dream-Fulfilling Club,' operated for local middle and high school students, provides a foundation for global talent development through overseas training in countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Notably, the 'Two-Time Free School Uniform Support' policy, implemented for the first time nationwide, has reduced the burden on parents and received positive feedback. Other ongoing educational support policies include the DDC Native English Classroom, the establishment of a hub-type Global Talent Education Center, and the operation of native English classes.
In the economic sector, Dongducheon has also made remarkable progress. The Dongducheon National Industrial Complex under development in Sangpae-dong has reached 85% completion, and advance sales to tenant companies are underway. The city is receiving positive responses for attracting companies, thanks to competitive land prices and excellent transportation accessibility.
In particular, although the sale price is in the 1.6 million won range per pyeong, applying a 5% city subsidy and up to 8% LH prepayment discount brings the actual price down to the 1.4 million won range, offering overwhelming competitiveness compared to neighboring municipalities.
The complex is open to 13 industries, including electronics, medical, and printing, and boasts excellent transportation accessibility with direct connections to Dongducheon IC and the metropolitan arterial road network. Dongducheon City is currently working to add more eligible industries to the national industrial complex and is strengthening cooperation with Gyeonggi Province and northern cities and counties to secure designation as an Opportunity Development Zone.
Furthermore, with the confirmed establishment of the Korea Polytechnics Convergence Technology Education Center, the foundation for expanding youth employment and advancing local industry has been laid. Various support measures have also been implemented, including improving the business environment for small business owners and connecting with overseas buyers.
In the welfare sector, the 'Senior Hospital Safe Escort Service,' which began full-scale operation in June 2024, is drawing attention. This service, which supports the entire process from payment to treatment, admission, and discharge so that elderly people living alone can safely use hospitals, has received a great response.
Additionally, the city is enhancing welfare for seniors and people with disabilities through the installation of massage chairs in senior centers, a health drink and welfare check-in service for elderly people living alone aged 80 and above, and the opening of the Bandabi Sports Center. With completion and full-scale operation scheduled for October this year, the welfare experience and satisfaction of seniors and people with disabilities are expected to improve significantly.
At the same time, Dongducheon is broadly implementing life-cycle welfare policies such as 'Doctor Homes,' 'Village Health and Happiness Recharge,' 'Digital Literacy Education for the Elderly,' and 'Senior Transportation Subsidy,' thereby realizing welfare that directly impacts the daily lives of citizens.
Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, holding the 2024 Dongducheon Leading Companies Meeting, provided by Dongducheon City
Mayor Park is focusing on securing practical safety infrastructure through frequent inspections of major construction sites, operation of rainwater pumping stations, river dredging, and maintenance of disaster-prone areas.
In addition, the city is establishing a proactive disaster response system to ensure citizen safety by operating an AI-based integrated CCTV control center, a 24-hour disaster safety situation room, and updating response manuals for each disaster type.
Furthermore, Dongducheon is taking continuous steps toward becoming a 'safe and livable city' by preparing disaster-type-specific response manuals and interdepartmental cooperation systems to proactively respond to complex disasters such as infectious diseases, heat waves, fine dust, and landslides.
Marking the third anniversary, Dongducheon City collected opinions from 2,205 citizens and established a blueprint for city administration for the next year. In particular, the city has set the recovery of the local economy and job creation as its top priorities and plans to focus on completing the national industrial complex, pursuing designation as an Opportunity Development Zone, and enacting special legislation for the return of U.S. military bases.
In education, the city will enhance competitiveness by establishing a Global Talent Education Center, expanding native English classes, and operating customized curricula for specialized high schools. In welfare, the city will strengthen the life-cycle welfare system through the activation of childcare support centers, digital literacy education, and senior transportation subsidies.
Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, is inspecting the safety situation in preparation for the typhoon. Photo by Dongducheon City
In transportation, Dongducheon will improve rail infrastructure through the GTX-C extension and increased shuttle train services. In safety, the city plans to strengthen the foundation for a safe city by advancing the 24-hour disaster safety response system and expanding AI security CCTV.
Mayor Park Hyungdeok stated, "The past three years have been a precious time spent designing Dongducheon’s future together with citizens, and now we stand at the threshold of change. Over the next year, I will build on existing achievements to establish more sophisticated policies and a stronger foundation, and I will make the city slogan, 'Renew Dongducheon, Empower Citizens,' a reality."
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