Sang-il Lee: "Semiconductor High School to Open in Yongin in 2026, Science and Arts High Schools in the Works"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Gi-ho Choi] In March 2026, a Semiconductor Meister High School will be established in Yongin, the first in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Yongin Mayor Sang-il Lee appeared on YTN Radio's "Wise Radio Life " program on the 17th and stated, "Since taking office, I have been promoting the establishment of a semiconductor meister high school to nurture talent in the semiconductor industry," adding "We plan to build it on the closed Namgok Elementary School branch campus in Namsa-eup, which closed on March 1st, with an investment of approximately 45.5 billion won, featuring 2 departments, 24 classrooms, and capacity for 384 students."

The mayor also said, "In addition to cutting-edge industries, we are also pursuing the establishment of a science high school and an arts high school to nurture talent to lead the culture and arts fields," adding "We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Yongin Office of Education to establish the science high school."

He introduced major city issues and accomplishments including the deregulation of the Songtan water source protection zone and the Gyeonggang Line extension.

Regarding the agreement on deregulating the Songtan water source protection zone with Pyeongtaek and other cities, the mayor explained, "Last year, we attracted the Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex to Yongin's Idong and Namsa-eup areas. However, part of the national industrial complex was included in the Songtan water source protection zone and had to continue receiving regulatory restrictions. We pursued deregulation of the water source protection zone to solve this problem, and the process has proceeded well. For Yongin, we have resolved a long-standing city goal of lifting regulations that had bound us for 45 years."

The mayor said, "The water source protection zone will be deregulated in early next year after administrative procedures, and in Yongin's case, it will be possible to provide not only corporate facilities but also residential, cultural, artistic, and sports spaces for citizens on land 1.5 times the total area of Osan City."

Regarding transportation network expansion plans considering population growth, the mayor stated, "We are working to extend the Gyeonggang Line subway, which runs north-south through Cheoin-gu, from Gwangju Station in Gyeonggi Province, and to reflect the Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Rail project—a subway running from Seoul's Jamsil Sports Complex Station to Seo Station, passing through Yongin's Suji-gu to Hwaseong—in the Fifth National Railroad Network Plan to be established next year."

The mayor stated, "In February, together with Gwangju City, we officially requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to reflect the Gyeonggang Line extension project as a new project in the Fifth National Railroad Network Construction Plan," adding "The benefit-cost ratio (B/C) came out to 0.92, confirming the project's feasibility, and the President expressed his intention to support the Gyeonggang Line extension at a civil affairs debate held at Yongin City Hall in March."

Regarding the Gyeonggi South Metropolitan Rail, the mayor stated, "The mayors of four cities—Yongin, Suwon, Seongnam, and Hwaseong—pooled their wisdom with the goal of constructing a metropolitan rail network for the southern Gyeonggi region, and we found an optimal route plan with significantly reduced investment and operating costs," explaining "Compared to the existing plan to extend Seoul Subway Line 3 from Seo Station to Hwaseong, this route has much lower project and operating costs, with a B/C ratio of 1.2, which came out well."

The mayor said that negotiations for development of the former Police University site have been finalized and will lead to development of the surrounding area.

The mayor stated, "The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) decided to pursue the project in 2016 for private housing supply, but the project stalled due to objections that the number of households was too large and transportation measures were insufficient. Since the eighth popular election term, we have continuously consulted with LH, reducing the number of households by approximately 20 percent and increasing the support facility area from the initial 0 percent to 19.8 percent. We plan to receive a donation of approximately 90,000 square meters in the center of the project site from LH and build cultural and sports facilities for citizens there."

The mayor said that the long-neglected former Police University site will accommodate residential, cultural, artistic, and recreational sports spaces as well as parks and other support facilities.

The mayor stated, "The '42nd Korea National Theater Festival Yongin,' Korea's largest theater festival, will be held throughout Yongin from June 28 to July 23," saying "As 16 teams that have passed preliminary rounds in each province and city compete in the finals, we hope you enjoy a celebration of theater."

The mayor said, "Along with the traditional and prestigious Korea National Theater Festival, the '1st Korea National University Theater Festival' will be held in Yongin. This is an event to nurture the dreams and talents of university students who love theater, and we will host a nationwide university theater festival in Yongin every year going forward," adding "Twelve university teams will perform this time, but we received applications from 48 university theater teams."