Mayor Park Hyungdeok: "Pyeongtaek Received 19 Trillion Won, Dongducheon Gets Silence... Government Must Respond"

Mayor Park Hyungdeok Unveils Vision for Dongducheon's Future
Statement Issued on Resolving U.S. Military Base Land Issue
Three Years of Achievements Demonstrated, Pledges Leap Forward in the Year Ahead

Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon in Gyeonggi Province, held a press briefing in the city hall's main conference room on the 10th to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the 8th term of the elected government, where he presented the achievements of the past three years and shared his vision for the year ahead.

Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, is explaining the achievements of the past three years and the vision for the next year during a press briefing commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the 8th term of the elected government on the 10th. Photo by Lee Jonggu

Prior to the press briefing, Mayor Park issued a statement strongly urging the government to provide substantial support to resolve the U.S. military base land issue.

Mayor Park and senior city officials held placards and chanted slogans such as "Start with compensation for Dongducheon U.S. military base land," appealing for relief from the suffering experienced by citizens due to the delay in the return of U.S. military base land that has persisted for over 70 years, as well as the resulting local economic stagnation and employment crisis.

Mayor Park emphasized, "Although Dongducheon has provided 42% of its total area for U.S. military bases, 70% of the unreturned base land nationwide remains unrestituted, resulting in Dongducheon suffering the lowest fiscal independence in Gyeonggi Province for 13 consecutive years, the lowest employment rate in the province for three consecutive years, and the lowest unemployment rate nationwide. Now, it is time for fair compensation and substantial support commensurate with the sacrifices made for national security."

Dongducheon City strongly urged the government to address four main demands: clarification and implementation of the return plan for Camp Casey and Camp Hovey; special legislative support at the level provided to Pyeongtaek for long-term stationing; immediate return of Camp Mobile and Camp Castle, which have low strategic value; and fulfillment of the 2015 promise to establish a national industrial complex and an advanced defense industry complex.

Mayor Park Hyungdeok stated, "While Pyeongtaek received 19 trillion won in support despite its base land accounting for only 5% of the area, Dongducheon has been forced to endure endless sacrifices. The president's promises and cabinet directives must be realized through action, not just words."

Following the statement, Mayor Park Hyungdeok outlined the achievements of the past three years and the vision for the remaining year.

Park Hyungdeok, mayor of Dongducheon, is issuing a statement urging the resolution of the U.S. military base land issue ahead of the press briefing commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the 8th local government on the 10th. Photo by Lee Jonggu

Mayor Park cited the following as major accomplishments of the 8th term: confirmation of the plan to extend the GTX-C line to Dongducheon and securing its economic feasibility; selection as a pilot area for the Special Education Development Zone; selection in the Gyeonggi Northern Companion Animal Theme Park contest; attracting the Korea Polytechnic University Dongducheon Education Center; and confirmation of the relocation of the Gyeonggi Job Foundation.

In addition, Dongducheon recently ranked first in the Gyeonggi Province-led regional balanced development project evaluation, securing an incentive of 30 billion won. Over the past three years, the city has attracted approximately 200 billion won in external funds, including 136.8 billion won in national and provincial funding and 62.3 billion won through competitive project bids.

Looking ahead, Dongducheon City pledged to: realize the extension of the GTX-C line; increase shuttle train services on Line 1; secure official designation as a Special Education Development Zone; attract an international skating rink; expand development of Soyo Mountain; promote sales and expansion of the national industrial complex; enact a special law supporting Dongducheon; obtain designation as an Opportunity Development Zone and Peace Economy Zone; and open new community centers for seniors and people with disabilities.

Mayor Park Hyungdeok said, "The true transformation of Dongducheon begins now," adding, "I have done my utmost to open a hopeful tomorrow together with our citizens."