'Hwaseong StarVay City' Fires Opening Shot for Regional Coexistence

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] Hwaseong Special City, Gyeonggi Province, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Shinsegae Hwaseong have fired the opening shot for regional coexistence regarding the ‘Hwaseong International Theme Park Tourist Complex (hereinafter referred to as Hwaseong StarVay City),’ a next-generation innovative tourism complex to be established in Songsan Green City.

On the 25th, Hwaseong City signed a ‘Hwaseong International Theme Park Regional Job Creation and Coexistence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding’ with three organizations and enterprises, committing to job creation and coexistence cooperation in the region with the goals of regional development, economic revitalization, and sustainable growth.

The ceremony, held at the Shihwa Urban Development Project Division of Korea Water Resources Corporation, was attended by Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun of Hwaseong City, Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province, President Lim Young-rok of Shinsegae Group, An Jeong-ho, Head of Green Infrastructure Division at Korea Water Resources Corporation, and other key officials who expressed their commitment to cooperation.

Specifically, they established a close cooperation framework for △prioritizing local talent recruitment △prioritizing local enterprise participation △promoting local culture and tourism activation, and agreed to discuss concrete measures going forward.

Hwaseong StarVay City, as a key initiative in western region development and a tourism hub for the Republic of Korea, is expected to become an Asian representative landmark attracting 30 million domestic and international visitors annually upon opening.

With estimated production-induced effects of approximately 70 trillion won and employment-induced effects of approximately 110,000 people by 2050, it is regarded as a core project to lead regional development.

The city thoroughly reviewed the proposal submitted by Shinsegae Hwaseong for the tourism complex development plan in August, and plans to apply to Gyeonggi Province for approval of the Hwaseong International Theme Park tourism complex development plan within this week.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated, “I am pleased to come to Hwaseong City today and participate in promoting this theme park, and Hwaseong City is a microcosm of the Republic of Korea with Hwaseong International Theme Park as the core axis of western Gyeonggi development.” He added, “The province will do its best to push forward with licensing procedures for Hwaseong International Theme Park and work to enable early groundbreaking.”

President Lim Young-rok of Shinsegae Group said, “This agreement is a commitment by Shinsegae Hwaseong to realize a world-class theme park together with the local community as a member of society,” and continued, “We will successfully develop Hwaseong StarVay City to lead substantial regional development, open new horizons for Korea's tourism industry, and take the lead in economic revitalization.”

An Jeong-ho, Head of Green Infrastructure Division at Korea Water Resources Corporation, stated, “We will proceed with the Songsan Green City development project without hindrance so that a world-class international theme park can be successfully introduced in the Songsan Green City being developed by K-water, and we will closely cooperate with each organization.”

Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun said, “This agreement will be an important foundation for Hwaseong International Theme Park and the local economy to grow together and a decisive turning point for opening the future of Hwaseong Special City,” and added, “I express deep gratitude to Gyeonggi Province and Shinsegae Group for making bold decisions.”

He continued, “I request your prompt review from Governor Kim Dong-yeon so that Hwaseong StarVay City can begin early groundbreaking in the second half of 2026,” and emphasized, “In particular, we request active support in preparing comprehensive regional transportation measures to proactively respond to expected daily traffic demand of 100,000 people.”

Furthermore, he noted, “As Hwaseong City is driving investment of over 20 trillion won in Gyeonggi Province's investment attraction results, we request joint consideration of establishing a comprehensive master plan for the 30 million pyeong-scale idle land that our city possesses,” and raised necessary matters for review.

Finally, Mayor Jeong stated, “Through a consultative body comprising residents, Hwaseong City, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Shinsegae, we will strengthen the cooperation system to enable swift project promotion,” and urged, “For successful development, we ask for close cooperation and active participation from Gyeonggi Province, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Shinsegae Group.”

Meanwhile, Hwaseong City and Gyeonggi Province held a communication meeting with local residents at the Hwaseong International Theme Park project site following the ceremony, listened to residents' opinions regarding the prompt promotion and successful completion of Hwaseong StarVay City, and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation.