– Let’s advance an era of new development for Korea! 

Gyeonggi Province

Honorable citizens of Gyeonggi province!
Seasons greetings and best wishes for 2008, a year of new hopes.

I want to extend to you my sincere wishes, for your every success and happiness.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of our nation, and we have high hopes for 2008. The new government has announced its plan to revamp the regulatory system in order to stimulate the economy, and forecasts a potential economic growth of 7%.

We will be able to enter into a new era of national development by taking advantage of some other favorable circumstances, such as the conclusion of multiple free trade agreements, improved Korea-US relations, and expanded cooperation between the two Koreas. In this environment, Gyeonggi Province has a golden opportunity to make a new start. Until now, Korea has focused on large cities in its national development. This has been exemplified by projects such as KTX, the high-speed train connecting Seoul and Busan. Gyeonggi Province plans to implement 3 new development initiatives that will aim to expand growth engine cities into the west coast, the northern, and the eastern regions, to lead an era of new development for Korea.

First, we will develop a new hub in the West Coastal region, in order to compete with China. Gimpo Airport, Incheon International Airport, Pyeongtaek Port, and Incheon Port are all located in the west coast of Gyeonggi Province, and there is also the West Coast Expressway and a large amount of reclaimed land in the province. All of these conditions make the Province a future growth hub of Korea. Gyeonggi Province is also located more closely to China than any other part of Korea, so it provides the most ideal environment for economic partnerships with China, and the attraction of domestic and foreign tourists.

On December 21st of 2007, the Hwanghae Free Economic Zone Initiative, a joint project of Gyeonggi Province and Chungnam Province, was approved. The Free Economic Zone will make the West Coast a new bridgehead of national development, which can compete with the Chinese cities located on the eastern coast of China.

When this world-class industrial & logistics complex is built on the wide area of reclaimed land near Siwha Lake and Hwaseong Lake, Korean companies and foreign companies alike will be able to build plants without worrying about high land prices. In November 2007, Gyeonggi Province attracted the Universal Studio Korea Resort as a part of the West Coast development strategy, which will create over 50,000 jobs and have a production inducement effect over KRW 5 trillion.

Gyeonggi Province will also build the Seongam Marine Experience & Tourism Resort by 2010, to respond to domestic and overseas leisure and tourism demands. Large marina facilities will be built in four ports, including Jeongok Port, and an international boat show and yacht contest, the essence of the tourism and leisure industries, are to be hosted on the West Coast in June of this year.

When Universal Studio and the Marine Experience & Tourism Resort are completed, the West Coast of Gyeonggi Province will be transformed into a Northeast Asian hub, equipped with advanced industries, tourism, leisure, and cultural businesses.

The West Coast will be a center for exchange and prosperity when the “5+5” global cooperation system between 5 regions in the West Coast of Korea and 5 regions in the Yellow Coast of China is established. Participating Korean cities and provinces include Gyeonggi, Incheon, Chungnam, Jeonnam, and Jeongbuk. In China, Guangdong, Liaoning, Shandong, Tianjin, and Shanghai are involved in the project.

Second, Gyeonggi Province will develop the northern area of the Province into a hub for exchange and cooperation between the two Koreas, and a bridgehead for peaceful unification. The northern area of the Province is going through dramatic changes due to improving relations between the two Koreas and the return of the US Army site. Against this backdrop, Gyeonggi Province has worked steadily to build trust through province-level cooperation projects with North Korea, especially in the agricultural sector, since 2001.

The Province will make active efforts for successful implementation of a wide range of cooperative projects, including the building of the DMZ Peace Park, joint-utilization of the estuary of Hangang, removal of iron fences near Hangang, and establishment of an economic cooperation zone in the borderland, which is being discussed anew following the recent South-North Korean summit talks. We will build a bicycle trail from Paju to Gaeseong, and host a marathon race for peace where participants will ride from Imjingak to the Gaeseong Indestrial Complex.

We need to expand the social overhead capital (SOC) to drive the systematic development of the northern area. We will spare no efforts in pushing for the construction of expressways from Seoul to Munsan, as well as Seoul to Pocheon, and complete the Gyeongweon Railway expansion construction and the 2nd Ring Road construction in Seoul Metropolitan Area earlier than was planned.

The area of the 34 US Army sites to be returned is 173 million , 20 times the area of Yeoeui-do, and the sites will be the historical background for the development of Gyeonggi Province. We will develop a cluster for industry, academia, research, and government, where universities, an advanced industrial complex, and research facilities can be accommodated, and foster the cluster into an advance base for development of the northern area.

We will also develop the northern area into a culture and tourism belt with many tourist destinations. We aim to restore historical and cultural remains and ferries in Imjin River and Han River, and turn them into a venue for cultural and historical experiences. The Eco Design City, a year-round multi-purpose leisure resort, will be built in Pocheon. The City will be built on an area of 131.5 million, creating over 10,000 jobs and an annual production inducement effect of more than KRW 800 billion.

The northern area where Godae Mountain Peace Zone, Jangheung Culture & Arts Complex, Hallyuwood, and the Jeongok prehistoric remains are located will serve as a mecca of security, ecosystem, leisure, culture, and tourism. The northern area of Gyeonggi Province is now turning from an area that was once torn apart by war to a place of peace and prosperity.

Third, we will develop the eastern part of Gyeonggi Province into the center of the ecosystem and culture. The region has suffered from unreasonable regulations for decades despite its rich natural, historical, and cultural resources. Gyeonggi Province has strived to develop the eastern area into a model of sustainable development.

We will prepare efficient development measures for the Eastern area that will be linked with the Grand Canal construction plan of the presidential elect. We will also make efforts to improve water quality by increasing the sewage treatment rate and restoring eco-rivers.

We will build a premium residential complex to meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly living environments, and provide a relaxed and rich living environment for the 24 million residents in the Metropolitan area. We will turn the area connecting the white porcelain museum in Bunweon-ri, Gwangju, the house of Dasan’s birth in Neungnae-ri, Namyangju, and Semiwon, a lotus flower park in Yangsu-ri, Yangpyeong, into a beautiful and clean tourist attraction.

Gyeonggi Province will implement the above 3 new development initiatives in active cooperation with the central government and the 31 cities and guns.

Honorable citizens of Gyeonggi Province!

The main topics for the new year are economic recovery and the revitalization of national development efforts. Without active investment from the private sector, we cannot expect economic recovery and growth. Activation of business investments is the key to the booming of our domestic economy. It is urgent to create a business-friendly environment by boldly easing business regulations.

We will abolish the Metropolitan Area Planning Law that has hampered national development, and prepare for the early introduction of a systematic management process.

We will also make steady efforts to implement 4 major policy initiatives, including the development of a citizen-centered transportation system, the development of a new town and a premium new city, the elimination of unreasonable regulations, and the improvement of water quality. These policies have already produced visible results.

We will also strengthen our educational competitiveness to ensure the development of world-class HR, secure our agricultural competitiveness, and improve the welfare of socially weak classes, including low-income citizens, seniors, handicapped citizens, and women.

Honorable citizens of Gyeonggi Province!

Gyeonggi Province is the future and the hope of Korea.

With all of the other public officers of Gyeonggi Province, I will serve each and every one of you with dedication.

We will realize in-the-field management, speedy management, and open management.
Let’s work together, for new hopes and advancement.

Once again, I wish you a happy new year.

Thank you.

January 2, 2008,
Kim Moon-soo,
Governor of Gyeonggi Province