Yeoju City's Industrial Complex Development: "First in the Nation" Title, but Tangible Results Still Lacking

Employment and Investment That Citizens Can Feel Matter More Than Speed
Emphasis on Shortened Administrative Procedures... "No Tangible Effects"
Environmental and Trust Issues Overshadow the "First in the Nation" Title
Public Opinion Remains Cold... "Stop Showcase Administration"

Yeoju City in Gyeonggi Province has launched a self-congratulatory promotional campaign regarding its industrial complex development project, claiming that it is "not an unproductive exercise in futility." However, local political circles and civil society have responded coldly. They argue that the city's emphasis on "shortened administrative procedures" and being the "first in the nation" are merely administrative achievements, and that tangible benefits such as job creation and investment effects, which citizens can actually feel, have yet to materialize.

Yeosu City Hall exterior view. Provided by Yeosu City

Recently, Yeoju City announced that the cluster for the Ganam General Industrial Complex had passed the Metropolitan Area Readjustment Committee's review, stating, "We have shortened a process that usually takes three years by more than one year." However, local politicians and civic groups have responded by saying, "Passing the review alone is meaningless. Real achievements will only come with actual groundbreaking, sales, and company move-ins."

Local residents have also expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "They said an industrial complex was coming, but there has been no employment effect, nor has there been any change in our daily lives."

Yeoju City has promoted the fact that more than 20 semiconductor-related companies have expressed intentions to move in, but industry insiders question the credibility of this claim. They point out that unless companies actually sign contracts or start construction, they can withdraw at any time.

In reality, most of the companies mentioned by the city are still only "in the process of obtaining permits and approvals," fueling controversy over the exaggeration of achievements.

Yeoju City has highlighted its status as the "first large-scale industrial complex in a nature conservation area," but local politicians and civic groups criticize this as a "typical example of showcase administration."

An environmental group representative strongly criticized the city, saying, "They are inflating their achievements while concealing the potential for environmental damage under the pretext of regulatory easing."

Yeoju City dismissed the criticism, saying, "Our policy direction is in line with those of the central government and Gyeonggi Province." However, civil society expressed distrust, stating, "Only press releases with no real achievements are being repeated."

A self-employed resident of Ganam-eup pointed out the decline in trust toward the administration, saying, "The talk about the industrial complex has been going on for years, but there has been no change in our daily lives."

Another resident said, "They said companies would come and create jobs, but so far it has only been talk. Citizens want concrete changes and real effects."

The development of an industrial complex is a strategic project that will determine the region's future. Therefore, there is a growing call that tangible results, which citizens can actually experience, are more important than the speed of administrative procedures.

A local political figure repeatedly emphasized, "Yeoju City needs a thorough review from a long-term regional strategy perspective, rather than being obsessed with speed. There is still a significant gap between the administrative achievements Yeoju City is highlighting, such as shortened procedures, and the job creation and investment effects that residents expect. What matters more than the pace of progress is securing company move-ins and visible employment outcomes."

The development of an industrial complex is not just an administrative achievement, but a strategic project that will determine the future of the region. For this reason, what matters most is a sense of responsibility among public officials.

Public officials are in a position to improve citizens' lives and take responsibility for the region's future. Therefore, what is more important than quickly processing administrative procedures is ensuring that the results translate into tangible benefits for citizens. If there are shortcomings, they should be acknowledged honestly, and officials should listen to citizens' voices and supplement policies accordingly.

A civil society group representative stressed, "An industrial complex should be approached from a comprehensive perspective, including employment, housing, and the environment, not just as a real estate development. If only administrative achievements are emphasized, it will ultimately only increase distrust among citizens."

He added, "What citizens want is not flashy press releases, but changes they can actually feel. The ones who should bring about these changes are responsible public officials."

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Yeoju Mayor Lee Chungwoo announced an optimistic vision of "attracting 70 companies and creating 1,500 jobs," but few cases have actually led to groundbreaking or job creation, fueling criticism of "empty promises" in the administration.