Kim Dong-yeon: "Military Base Relocation Sites Should Become Land of Opportunity"...Mentions Northern Gyeonggi Autonomous Province Again

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated that "idle sites resulting from military base relocations must be transformed into lands of opportunity."

Governor Kim attended a policy forum titled 'Activation of Public Interest Projects through Military Base Relocation and Development' held on the 22nd at Seminar Room No. 1 of the National Assembly Member Building, presided over by Rep. Hong Young-pyo and jointly hosted by Gyeonggi Province and 16 National Assembly members.

Governor Kim stated, "Residents in border areas have borne sacrifices for the past 70 years. Approximately 22 percent of Gyeonggi Province's total area is designated as military facilities protection zones, so it is undoubtedly an extensive region." He added, "A significant portion of national defense capabilities are concentrated in Gyeonggi Province, and 80 percent of U.S. military forces stationed in South Korea are located in Gyeonggi Province."

He continued, "As military unit consolidation proceeds as part of defense reforms, we must transform idle sites into lands of opportunity. I believe this is a good endeavor that can enhance not only residents' quality of life through housing, industry, tourism, culture, sports, environment, and ecology, but also strengthen Korea's economic competitiveness." He emphasized, "Unlike U.S. military bases, our military idle sites receive no government funding. I believe it is necessary to present alternatives that increase idle site utilization and improve economic revitalization and residents' quality of life through more practical methods."

He also stated, "The reason Gyeonggi Province is promoting Northern Gyeonggi Autonomous Province is not only compensation for long-standing damages but also based on the belief, expectation, and confidence that a population of 3.6 million, well-trained human resources, and well-preserved ecological nature will become competitive advantages enabling it to become a hub of Korea's growth." He added, "I hope today's forum will yield good ideas on idle site utilization, and I also hope pending bills will be passed promptly."

Rep. Kim Min-chul chaired the forum, and Park Jin-a, research fellow at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, presented the main topic.

Kwon Il, professor at Korea National University of Transportation; Choi Tae-an, director of Incheon Metropolitan City Urban Planning Division; Heo Hoon, professor at Daejin University; Song Young-jin, deputy director of the Defense Ministry's Military Installation Construction Project Division; Kang Min-jo, research fellow at Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements; and Nam Dong-o, director of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's State-Owned Property Policy Division participated as discussants.

The forum was jointly hosted by Reps. Kang Deuk-gu (Man'an District, Anyang, Gyeonggi), Kim Gyo-heung (Seo District, Incheon), Kim Min-chul (Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi), Kim Byung-ju (Proportional), Kim Sung-joo (Jeonju, North Jeolla), Kim Tae-nyeon (Sujeong District, Seongnam, Gyeonggi), Park Jung (Paju, Gyeonggi), Seo Young-gyo (Jung-nang District, Seoul), Song Ki-heon (Wonju, Gangwon), Shin Dong-geun (Seo District, Incheon), Yang Ki-dae (Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi), Lee Yong-woo (Goyang, Gyeonggi), Jeong Sung-ho (Yangju, Gyeonggi), Hong Gi-won (Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi), and Hong Jung-min (Goyang, Gyeonggi).