Suwon-Seoul 'Mutual Development' Administrative Agreement

Suwon City, the nation's largest basic local government, and Seoul City, the largest metropolitan authority, are pursuing a large-scale bilateral deal for mutual development. Going forward, expansion of metropolitan bus routes to Seoul and free admission for Seoul citizens to "Suwon Hwaseong Fortress" will be implemented.

Suwon City and Seoul City held a "Friendly Exchange Agreement Signing Ceremony for Community-Based Mutual Development between Suwon City and Seoul City" at Seoul City Hall's main conference room at 11:30 a.m. on the 16th, attended by Suwon Mayor Yim Tae-young, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, and senior officials from both Suwon and Seoul.

According to the agreement signed that day, Suwon City and Seoul City will exchange and cooperate on nine projects across four sectors: culture and tourism (4 projects), regional economy (2 projects), policy (1 project), and environment and transportation (2 projects).

First, Seoul City agreed to maximize permission for metropolitan buses operating between Suwon and Seoul's downtown areas (Seoul Station, Gangnam Station, etc.) to enter Seoul.

As a result, the current 16 metropolitan bus routes (3 to Seoul Station, 6 to Gangnam Station, 7 to Sadang Station) with 235 buses departing from Suwon to Seoul are expected to expand significantly, which is anticipated to partly resolve complaints about route expansion due to crowding during commute hours.

Additionally, from the date of agreement signing, Seoul citizens will be able to enter "Suwon Hwaseong Fortress" free of charge, and both cities' municipal arts groups will promote friendly relations and regional cultural and artistic development through mutual exchange performances.

In particular, through exchanges between the Seoul Research Institute of Urban Science and the Suwon Research Institute of Urban Science (currently being established), joint policy research and development projects will be conducted, and a Suwon agricultural products direct trade market will be established and operated at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Plaza once per week.

Suwon Mayor Yim Tae-young said, "Through the agreement signing, let us establish a new model of mutual development between the two cities," adding "This will not only strengthen our cooperative relationship but also help resolve long-cherished projects."

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon emphasized, "Viewing Seoul and regions dichotomously is unproductive and authoritarian," stating "Seoul, as the capital, must become an engine for regional mutual development."

Meanwhile, this friendly exchange agreement between Seoul City and Suwon City for mutual development was made after Suwon Mayor Yim Tae-young proposed it to Mayor Park Won-soon when he visited the Suwon Lifelong Learning Center on February 11.