Yeoncheon County Pan-County Promotion Committee: "Yeoncheon Is the Optimal Site for the Gyeonggi Living SOC Return Project"

Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province and the Pan-County Promotion Committee held a press conference on January 14 at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly press conference room to officially announce the justification and necessity for Yeoncheon County to be selected as the target site for the 'Gyeonggi Living SOC Return Project.'

Kim Deokhyun, Governor of Yeoncheon County, held a press conference on the 14th at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly press conference room to officially announce the justification and necessity for Yeoncheon County to be selected as the target site for the 'Gyeonggi Living SOC Return Project.' Provided by Yeoncheon County

The press conference was attended by the co-representative of the Pan-County Promotion Committee, the governor of Yeoncheon County, and the chairman of the Yeoncheon County Council, who appealed for the necessity of the project by highlighting the reality of Yeoncheon County as a border region and an area experiencing population decline.

An official from Yeoncheon County stated, "Gyeonggi Province has played a central role in Korea's growth, but the northern part of the province, which has endured sacrifices due to national security concerns and various regulations, is experiencing a gap in living infrastructure and development speed." The official emphasized the justification for Yeoncheon County's selection, adding, "Just as Gyeonggi Province's policy principle states that 'special sacrifices deserve special compensation,' it is now time to achieve genuine balanced development where the northern and southern parts of Gyeonggi Province grow together."

The official continued, "Yeoncheon County has seen significant improvements in transportation accessibility with the opening of Subway Line 1 and the bypass road for National Highway 3. The county is also home to the Hantan River, a UNESCO Global Geopark, and the Imjin River, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve." He added, "By expanding living SOC, we aim to implement a sustainable return project model that harmonizes development and conservation, and to create a leading example of balanced growth in Gyeonggi Province."

On the same day, Jeong Namhun, co-representative of the Pan-County Promotion Committee, read a resolution, stating, "The Gyeonggi Living SOC Return Project is a decisive opportunity for Yeoncheon County to establish a foundation for sustainable growth and resolve regional imbalances." He emphasized, "This project is essential for Yeoncheon County, which has long faced economic stagnation and the risk of population extinction due to overlapping regulations under the Military Facilities Protection Act and the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act."

The committee also made it clear that Yeoncheon County is the optimal location to deliver tangible results through the integration of community-based social infrastructure, and pledged to do their utmost to ensure that Yeoncheon County becomes a leading example of realizing the value of returning benefits to residents and achieving balanced development in Gyeonggi Province.

Yeoncheon County and the Pan-County Promotion Committee stated, "To protect the daily lives and enhance the quality of life for residents in areas with weak living infrastructure, we hope that sufficient discussions and thorough reviews will be conducted by relevant agencies so that Yeoncheon County can be selected as the target site in the Gyeonggi Living SOC Return Project application process."