Dongducheon Citizens' Committee Urges Fulfillment of Promises for Sacrifices in Northern Gyeonggi... Calls for Restoration of 30 Billion Won Development Fund

Another Call to Restore the Return Site Development Fund Budget

The Dongducheon City Regional Development Citizens' Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Citizens' Committee) held a press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Council on the 15th, urging the Budget and Accounts Special Committee to approve the 30 billion won fund transfer for the development of the US Forces Korea return site as originally planned during the review process.

The Dongducheon City Regional Development Citizens' Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) held a press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on the 15th, urging the Budget and Accounts Special Committee to approve the 30 billion won fund transfer for the development of the US Forces Korea returned land as originally planned during the review process. Provided by the Dongducheon City Regional Development Citizens' Committee

This press conference was held together with civic groups from northern Gyeonggi Province in order to once again convey the region’s position to the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, as the provincial council’s review of the return site development fund budget continued following the previous press conference in front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council on December 2.

The Citizens' Committee stated, "For decades, northern Gyeonggi Province has faced persistent restrictions on urban expansion, land use, and industrial attraction due to the presence of large-scale US military bases and military facilities," adding, "The compensation provided has not been sufficient compared to the sacrifices endured in the name of national security."

The committee further pointed out, "The creation of a 300 billion won return site development fund over ten years, as announced by Gyeonggi Province, is the minimum starting point for realizing the national principle that 'sacrifice must be compensated.' The complete cut of the first-year budget of 30 billion won is not simply a budget adjustment, but a decision that delays discussions on the development of northern Gyeonggi Province."

At the press conference, representatives of civic groups and local residents attended, demanding the restoration of the 30 billion won fund transfer, fulfillment of promises for sacrifices made, and the realization of balanced development in northern Gyeonggi Province. They called on the Budget and Accounts Special Committee to reconsider the Planning and Finance Committee’s decision to cut the budget.

The Citizens' Committee emphasized, "Restoring the 30 billion won is not a privilege or an additional demand, but a matter of fulfilling the minimum responsibility that the nation and Gyeonggi Province have promised themselves," adding, "We hope the decision of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee will become a crucial turning point in resolving key issues in northern Gyeonggi Province."

They also stated, "We will closely monitor the outcome of the committee’s review and consider further actions in solidarity with civic society depending on whether the promise is kept."