Local Governments, the Center, and Relocated Public Institutions Share Outcomes of the First Cooperative Project
Seeking Win-Win Cooperation Strategies Between Local Governments and Relocated Public Institutions
The Gangwon Innovation City Development Support Center held the '2025 2nd Gangwon Innovation City Win-Win Development Council' on November 14, attended by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, 12 relocated public institutions, 4 cities and counties, and about 30 participants.
This meeting was convened in response to the recommendation of the Economic and Industrial Committee of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Council in 2024, as part of efforts to spread the development achievements of Gangwon Innovation City to all 18 cities and counties in the province. Following the first kickoff meeting in April, where the core work and projects of the 12 relocated public institutions were introduced to the 18 cities and counties, this second meeting aimed to share the outcomes of win-win cooperation projects and to ensure their continued expansion.
Attendees included Center Director Jang Yoojin of the Gangwon Innovation City Development Support Center, Kim Minseok, Head of Investment Promotion at the provincial government, as well as managers at the department head level or higher from nine relocated public institutions, such as the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Korea National Park Service, National Health Insurance Service, Korean Red Cross, Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation, Korea Road Traffic Authority, Korea Veterans Health Service, and Korea Research Institute for Local Administration. Representatives from four cities and counties, including Wonju and Gangneung, also participated.
Gangwon Innovation City, established as part of the national balanced development policy, completed the relocation of 12 public institutions between 2013, starting with the National Forensic Service, and 2017, with the Korea National Park Service being the last to relocate.
However, even after nine years since the relocations began, there had been little to no projects or proposals for win-win cooperation between the 18 cities and counties in the province and the relocated public institutions. Entering 2025, the center has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the innovation city by expanding and restructuring the existing 13 projects to 19, and has maintained ongoing communication and cooperative relationships with the 12 relocated public institutions.
As a result, the first cooperative project was achieved in October, with the signing of the 'Win-Win Cooperation Project Agreement to Support the Transportation Disadvantaged,' jointly promoted by Hoengseong County, the center, and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Starting in 2026, vehicles for hospital transportation will be provided for residents aged 65 and older in Hoengseong County who are transportation disadvantaged, establishing a foundation for rural underserved populations to access medical services whenever needed.
At this meeting, participants shared the outcomes of the first cooperative project, discussed agenda items from the province and cities/counties, and received briefings on major projects from public institutions. Discussions were also held on promoting sustainable cooperative projects among local governments, the center, and public institutions.
Director Jang Yoojin stated, "Although the first cooperative project will begin next year, I sincerely hope that we can continue to pursue up to 100 projects. To this end, the center will operate a regular platform for meetings where public institutions and cities/counties can discuss and collaborate."
Gangwon Innovation City was developed from 2007 to 2017, with a site area of 3,585,000 square meters, an accommodation capacity of 31,000 people, and a project budget of 83.96 billion won. Currently, a total of 12 public institutions, including the Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters located in Jijeong-myeon, have relocated and are now based there.
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