Uijeongbu City Sheds Its Military Image to Become a Hub of Ecology and Industry: The Rebirth of Jagum-dong

[Feature] Uijeongbu City Unveils "Our Neighborhood Policy Roadmap: Jagum-dong Edition"
Three-Pronged Roadmap for Ecology, Culture, and Future Industry Announced
Creating an Ecological Corridor Centered on Jail Forest Bath
Transforming Camp Kyle i

Jagum-dong in Uijeongbu City, which had long been subject to dual restrictions as a development-restricted area and a military facility protection zone, is now set for a major transformation. The map of Jagum-dong is being redrawn, ranging from ecological retreats utilizing forests to advanced industrial complexes making use of returned U.S. military bases.

On January 2, Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) unveiled the "Our Neighborhood Policy Roadmap - Jagum-dong Edition," which organizes administrative, infrastructure, and welfare information closely related to citizens’ daily lives at the local level, presenting this new vision.

Uijeongbu City, Jagum-dong Policy Roadmap. Provided by Uijeongbu City

Opening Up as an Ecological and Memorial Space with Jail Forest Bath

Ironically, the greatest asset of Jagum-dong is the "forest" preserved by regulatory restrictions. Leveraging this, the city opened "Jail Forest Bath," Uijeongbu's first forest recreation facility, in March 2024. The walking trails and sawdust barefoot paths set against a backdrop of pine forests are considered the best places for relaxation close to the city center.

Jail Forest Bath, which opened in March 2024 as Uijeongbu’s first forest recreation facility, was created using a pine forest planted in 2003 and a well-preserved natural woodland. With features such as decked walking trails, forest shelters, sawdust barefoot paths, a hydrangea garden, and a woodworking experience center, the facility offers an environment where visitors can enjoy both forest experiences and relaxation near the city.

Uijeongbu City plans to go further by integrating the Jail-dong area into a single ecological village. The "Uijeongbu Memorial Park," which began construction in November 2025, will maintain the commemorative function of the existing memorial tower, but will be developed as an open park harmonized with the forest, completing a large green belt connected to Jail Forest Bath.

Alongside the creation of ecological spaces centered on Jail Forest Bath, the pedestrian environment along Buyongcheon Stream is also being improved. The 480-meter-long "Sodan-gil," a secondary walking trail utilizing green spaces around the light rail (Hyoja Station to Uisun 1 Bridge section), connects nearby residential areas with green spaces. The previously narrow dirt and concrete paths have been expanded into decked roads, making walking much easier, and the trail links directly to the Buyongcheon riverside path, supporting everyday activities such as walking and running.

Perspective view of the Jail-dong Ecological Village Community Facility. Provided by Uijeongbu City.

Revitalizing Commerce, Culture, and Residential Life in Jagum-dong

Jagum-dong is witnessing efforts to simultaneously revive its commercial, cultural, and residential environments.

The "Geumo Mutual Prosperity Festa," led by local merchants in September 2024, succeeded in attracting visitors and boosting alley restaurant sales by 15.2% compared to usual. This is seen as evidence of the potential for a "mutual prosperity model" in which the private sector leads local initiatives, moving away from the traditional government-led approach.

The previously lacking cultural infrastructure is also being significantly expanded. The new "Uijeongbu Culture Center," to be built in Geumo-dong, will serve as a complex cultural hub with exhibition halls, lecture rooms, and a large auditorium, meeting the learning needs of local residents. In Jail-dong’s Gwirok Village, "Gwirok Masil" will be created by remodeling an old woodworking shop into a community space where residents can sell agricultural products and participate in hands-on experiences.

The new Uijeongbu Culture Center building is planned as a complex cultural hub with one basement floor and three above-ground floors, totaling 2,863 square meters. It will feature exhibition spaces, public facilities for residents, lecture rooms, and a large auditorium. After its relocation, it is expected to serve as a central space for local residents’ daily cultural activities and learning needs.

Along with strengthening the foundation for everyday culture, village living conditions are also being improved. In Gwirok Village, Jail-dong, a former woodworking shop is being transformed into "Gwirok Masil," a community hub closely connected to daily life.

Camp Kyle Large Parking Lot. Provided by Uijeongbu City

Camp Kyle: Designing the Future as a Biomedical Cluster

The future economic engine of Jagum-dong lies in "Camp Kyle," a former U.S. military base. The approximately 140,000-square-meter site was recently selected as a candidate for additional designation as part of the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, raising expectations. The city plans to develop this area into a biomedical cluster focused on clinical and demonstration activities in collaboration with nearby university hospitals, establishing it as a new driver of industrial growth for Uijeongbu.

Alongside these future plans, Camp Kyle is already being used to alleviate current inconveniences for residents.

Since January 2025, the city has been operating a temporary parking lot for large vehicles (with 82 spaces) within Camp Kyle, utilizing idle military land. The facility accommodates cargo trucks over 2.5 tons and passenger vans with more than 16 seats, helping to reduce noise, exhaust, and safety issues caused by illegal parking near residential areas.

An official from Uijeongbu City stated, "The policy roadmap is an effort to strengthen communication with residents and systematically inform them about changes in our neighborhood," adding, "We aim to maximize Jagum-dong’s natural value and future industrial potential to create a better place to live."

Meanwhile, following the roadmap for Jagum-dong, the city plans to announce the next policy roadmap for Ganeung-dong.