Gyeonggi Province to Significantly Expand Advanced Industrial Complexes in Northern Region

Gyeonggi Province has decided to significantly expand advanced industrial complexes to establish an economic self-reliant foundation in the northern region.

On the 22nd, the province stated, "By utilizing returned U.S. military sites and other facilities, we plan to create an additional 9.319 million square meters (2.82 million pyeong) of advanced industrial complexes by 2010," and added, "Through sufficient supply of industrial complexes, we will revitalize the regional economy by enhancing corporate competitiveness and creating employment opportunities."

Among the current 72 industrial complexes in the province (80.68 million square meters), the northern region accounts for 11 percent, with 26 complexes (9.245 million square meters), and workers in the area represent only 6.9 percent (16,649 people) of the province's total workforce of 240,738.

By region, the Paju LCD Complex (1.712 million square meters) and Munsan Advanced Complex (1.954 million square meters) will be completed by June 2008, and the Paju Wollong Complex (842,000 square meters) will begin construction soon after completing land surveys and assessment evaluations.

Additionally, the Yangju Guam Complex (84,000 square meters) and Dongducheon II Complex (187,000 square meters), which will serve as LCD-related industrial facilities, are scheduled for completion next month and in 2008 respectively, while the Yeoncheon Baekhak Complex (398,000 square meters) will complete its implementation plan by June this year.

The Namyangju Geumgok Complex (130,000 square meters) will be completed by year-end, and the Namyangju Jingwan Complex (142,000 square meters), Paju Sinchon Complex (200,000 square meters), Paju Chughyeon Complex (300,000 square meters), and Yangju Hongbuk Complex (618,000 square meters) will begin construction upon completion of ongoing environmental impact assessments.

Separately from the industrial complexes currently under development, the province plans to establish large-scale industrial complexes in the Dongducheon International Free City zone (3.3 million square meters), the Pocheon Furniture and Food & Beverage Complex (1.65 million square meters), and the Gapyeong Clean Industry Complex (60,000 square meters).

A province official stated, "The northern Gyeonggi region has been relatively underdeveloped due to double and triple regulations including various military facility protection zones and the Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation Act," and added, "We will establish a development plan centered on industrial complexes."