Ansan City Successfully Concludes "Economic Free Zones and the Future of Ansan" Major Debate

Citizens and Experts Discuss Vision for Future Growth

Ansan City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 12th that the major debate titled "Economic Free Zones and the Future of Ansan," held on the 11th in the city hall's main conference room to explore changes in the regional industrial structure and strategies to strengthen urban competitiveness following the designation as an economic free zone, concluded successfully.

Experts participating as panelists are discussing the city's development direction at a major debate held by Ansan City on the 11th in the city hall's main conference room under the theme of "Economic Free Zones and the Future of Ansan." Provided by Ansan City

The debate, attended by 150 members of the Joint Promotion Team and a panel of experts, focused on the Ansan Science Valley (ASV) district, which was designated as the Gyeonggi Economic Free Zone in September. Discussions centered on changes in the city's industrial structure and directions for enhancing urban competitiveness.

In the first session, Kim Sudong, Head of the Global Competition Strategy Research Division at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, delivered a keynote presentation. This was followed by designated discussions on topics such as industrial innovation, robotics technology, international education, residential environment, and perspectives from field experts representing various sectors.

The debate was chaired by Hong Jingki, Director of the Regional Industrial Location Research Institute. Panelists included Won Hosik, Head of the ERICA Campus Innovation Park Project Group at Hanyang University; Park Beomyeol, CEO of Korea R&D Co., Ltd.; Park Taejun, Head of the Intelligent Robot Project Group at Hanyang University ERICA; Kim Dongsu, CEO of GyeYoung Planners Co., Ltd.; and Lee Sohee, Investment Specialist at the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority.

In the second session, Mayor Lee Minguen of Ansan City personally shared the city's future vision with citizens. Mayor Lee stated, "The designation as an economic free zone is a valuable achievement resulting from more than three years of challenges undertaken by citizens and the administration," adding, "We have secured a strong foundation to leap forward as a leading city for future industries centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced robotics."

Participating citizens proposed policies on innovative growth, international education, and improvements to the residential environment through roundtable discussions.

Mayor Lee added, "Going forward, we will continue to inform citizens about the achievements and ongoing initiatives related to the economic free zone designation and expand opportunities to gather public feedback."