High-Value Industries to Be Cultivated on Idle Sites Left by Public Institutions in Suwon

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon City and Gyeonggi Province have agreed to collaborate in productively utilizing idle sites resulting from the relocation of public institutions under Gyeonggi Province.

On the 9th at the Gyeonggi Province Government Office Situation Room, Gov. Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province and Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young signed a memorandum of understanding on the "Productive Utilization of Relocated Public Institution Sites."

Since December 2019, Gyeonggi Province has announced in three rounds that "public institutions invested and funded by Gyeonggi Province located in Suwon will be relocated to other cities and counties," with 12 public institutions as relocation targets.

At the signing ceremony, Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young said, "I hope that follow-up measures following the relocation of Gyeonggi Province's public institutions will proceed seamlessly, like gears meshing perfectly," and added, "I hope that other companies and organizations can move in immediately after the public institutions relocate so that there will be no 'temporary vacancies.'"

He further stated, "While I said earlier that I understand the larger purpose of balanced development, for citizens who have settled long-term in areas surrounding public institutions, the relocation of these institutions will not be a simple matter," and continued, "We need measures that can address their concerns."

On February 17th, shortly after Gov. Lee announced the "Third Phase Public Institution Relocation Plan for Gyeonggi Province," Mayor Yeom said, "I understand the purpose of dispersing Gyeonggi Province's public institutions from the perspective of balanced development," and requested, "However, I hope that specific implementation methods will be discussed closely with Suwon City and that alternatives will also be prepared."

The Suwon City Research Institute conducted research on "Spatial Changes in Suwon City Following the Relocation of Gyeonggi Province Public Institutions" and proposed plans for utilizing relocated sites to Gyeonggi Province, with Suwon City's proposals being incorporated into this memorandum.

Suwon City and Gyeonggi Province decided to collaborate in fostering high-value-added strategic industries by attracting advanced technology-based companies and related organizations in IT and BT (information and communications and biotechnology) sectors to the Gwanggyo site where the Gyeonggi Province Economic Science and Technology Promotion Agency and the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation are located.

Additionally, for the Pahyung-dong site created by the relocation of the Gyeonggi Research Institute and others, they agreed to collaborate in attracting companies specializing in renewable energy and upcycling and prospective entrepreneurs to proactively respond to climate crisis and establish a sustainable industrial ecosystem foundation based on a circular economy.

Furthermore, they decided to work together to minimize damage to the regional economy following the relocation of public institutions and to swiftly stabilize surrounding areas by organizing a task force committee for implementing cooperation initiatives and complying with administrative procedures.

Suwon City and Gyeonggi Province plan to actively share relevant data and information to efficiently promote cooperation initiatives.

Gov. Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province said, "Mayor Yeom Tae-young made many suggestions to help resolve problems that could arise from the relocation of public institutions," and promised, "Idle spaces will be created in Suwon and southern Gyeonggi Province due to the relocation of public institutions, and I will consult with the relevant local governments and support them in ways that help regional development."

He continued, "Suwon is a highly preferred location for companies, so it would be better for future industry-related companies to move in rather than public institutions," and said, "Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City will build a good cooperative relationship and utilize the relocated sites in ways that benefit Suwon City."

Mayor Yeom Tae-young said, "I am grateful that Gov. Lee Jae-myung accepted our city's requests and created alternatives," and added, "I hope that Suwon City and Gyeonggi Province will work well together and implement today's memorandum without any issues."