Lee Sang-il: "Waterfront zones in Yongin's Pogok and Mohyeon townships covering 1.17 million pyeong, and Yurim-dong zone of 27,000 pyeong to be lifted soon"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin Special Metropolitan City announced on the 30th that a waterfront zone of 1.17 million pyeong currently under regulation in Pogok and Mohyeon townships in Cheoin-gu, Yongin City will be lifted in August, and approximately 27,000 pyeong in Yurim-dong will also be exempted from waterfront zone regulations.

At a communication meeting with residents lasting approximately two hours at Yurim-dong Administrative Welfare Center, Mayor Lee stated, "Approximately 1.17 million pyeong along the Gyeongan Stream in Pogok-eup and Mohyeon-eup areas, which are subject to overlapping regulations of waterfront zones and military facility protection zones, will be lifted from the waterfront zone designation in the not-too-distant future," and added, "In Yubang-dong in Cheoin-gu, which is one of the areas where waterfront zone lifting is underway, 10 parcels totaling approximately 3,500 pyeong are included."

Mayor Lee stated, "Regarding 121 parcels totaling approximately 23,600 pyeong in Yurim-dong that were incorrectly designated as waterfront zones due to errors in calculating the distance from the river boundary, the Ministry of Environment is in the final stages of reviewing the lifting, and we expect the regulations to be lifted."

Mayor Lee said, "I believe Yongin is on its path to becoming a metropolitan city," and revealed, "We are researching urban spatial structures with metropolitan cities in mind."

Mayor Lee stated, "I brought about the decision to lift 19.5 million pyeong of the Songtan water source protection zone in Idong and Namsa townships—representing 53% of Suwon's total area—from restrictions after 45 years, and as the waterfront zone along Gyeongan Stream in Pogok and Mohyeon townships will also be exempted from restrictions, there is considerable space available for urban planning," and added, "I am committed to thoroughly researching how to develop these areas in an environmentally friendly manner."

Mayor Lee stated, "In approximately 2,500 pyeong of vacant land near Gyeongan Stream, we created an urban forest in the form of a small park featuring a walking path, with a grass square, barefoot walking trail, and landscape lighting installed," and revealed, "To resolve inconveniences caused by insufficient pedestrian bridges crossing the Gyeongan Stream walking path in Yurim-dong, we installed a footbridge between Yurim Bridge and Musu Bridge, and we plan to complete improvements to the soccer field along Gyeongan Stream in Yurim-dong by September."

Mayor Lee noted, "As a public contribution to housing construction in Boopyeong District, the 'Dream Walk Library' opened at Seongsan Elementary School, more than doubling its size, and after hearing difficulties that the pedestrian overpass between Seongsan Elementary and Boopyeong Station was built low, preventing buses from entering and requiring travel to a main road, we installed an experiential learning bus stop near the school in just 20 days," and introduced, "We installed right-turn guidance electronic display boards and LED floor signals for the safety of Gorim Elementary students, opened a 'Together Care Center' at Gorim Hillstate Yongin Dunjeon Station complex in June of this year, and opened the 20th location at Gojin Elementary School in September, expanding care functions."

Additionally, he stated, "We opened the 12th smart library at Yubang Children's Park in April of this year, and we plan to continue installing 24-hour book lending smart libraries in areas where public library construction is difficult," and added, "Using the land donated by Gorim Jindeok District, we are preparing well to begin construction on Yurim-dong Library in the first half of 2027 and complete it in 2028."

Mayor Lee sincerely answered questions from residents who attended the communication meeting.

Lee Jung-rye, a resident representative, stated, "As apartment complexes in Yurim-dong begin opening and population increases, abandoned buildings in the area are marring the urban landscape," and suggested, "If streamside walking path maintenance and environmental cleanup work around abandoned buildings were to proceed, the living environment would improve."

Mayor Lee said, "There is a saying called 'broken window theory.' If you leave a broken-window car abandoned, people thoughtlessly smash it up and throw garbage, leaving the car in a mess—our living environment is the same," and stated, "We will clean up garbage around abandoned buildings and secure budget next year to maintain walking paths."

Lee Sang-pil, Chairman of Yurim-dong Athletic Association, evaluated, "Mayor Lee Sang-il has accomplished the most work among all previous mayors and is the most capable mayor," and asked, "I am curious about the progress of the division of Yurim-dong, which is experiencing population growth."

Mayor Lee stated, "As Yurim-dong's population is expected to reach 52,000 to 53,000 by year-end, we are preparing for the division, and we are also reviewing where to operate a temporary administrative welfare center after the division," and added, "We are also preparing for the township promotion of Yangji-myeon, which has a population exceeding 20,000, and we will complete such work next year."