Uijeongbu, Siheung, Gimpo, Paju, Gwangju Now Able to Establish Up to 2 Business Offices

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jang Kyung-hee] Five cities and counties within the province that have populations of 300,000 to 500,000, which previously could only establish and operate one 'business office (Grade 4),' will now be able to operate up to two business offices.

As a result, five cities and counties including Uijeongbu, Siheung, Gimpo, Paju, and Gwangju will be able to additionally establish and operate business offices, allowing them to respond more proactively to various issues directly linked to residents' lives, such as the 'red tap water crisis.'

On the 17th, the province announced that it will revise the 'Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Temporary Organizations and Business Offices in Cities and Counties' to allow the five cities and counties within the province with populations of 300,000 to 500,000 to additionally establish and operate up to two Grade 4 business offices, raising the current limit of one.

This follows the active adoption of suggestions made during the 'New Heads of Gyeonggi Province Cities and Counties Cooperation Council Meeting' held on the 16th by Governor Lee Jae-myung.

The province plans to finalize and implement the revised guidelines this month.

As a result, administrative capacity is expected to be significantly strengthened in cities and counties with populations of 300,000 to 500,000 that have been demanding the easing of restrictions on business office establishment due to increased administrative demands from rapid population inflow.

A province official stated, "In accordance with Governor Lee Jae-myung's policy initiative to grant autonomy in organizational operations to cities and counties, we have actively accepted suggestions from the cities and counties. Through this guideline revision, we expect cities and counties within the province with populations of 300,000 to 500,000 will be able to respond much more proactively to administrative issues related to residents' lives."

The province currently operates a total of 55 Grade 4 business offices, including water service offices, lifelong learning centers, and environmental business offices, across 31 cities and counties within the province.