Suwon City in Difficult Position as Gyeonggi Province Governor Clashes with Government

As Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae takes a confrontational stance against the government, Suwon City—which desperately needs mediation and cooperation with the central government on military airport relocation, Southern Gyeonggi Metropolitan Railway development, and economic free zone designation—finds itself in an awkward position.

According to Suwon City on the 22nd, the city is promoting military airport relocation, Southern Gyeonggi Metropolitan Railway development, and economic free zone designation as major projects.

However, these projects cannot be pursued by the city alone. They require policy decisions and support from the central government, as well as designation applications from Gyeonggi Province, coordination among related local governments, and consultations with the central government.

The construction of Gyeonggi International Airport, which is being pursued in connection with military airport relocation, requires Gyeonggi Province to first select candidate sites. The city believes the province needs to make a decision promptly, as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Seventh Comprehensive Airport Development Plan is expected to be announced in the second half of this year.

The Southern Gyeonggi Metropolitan Railway also requires support from Gyeonggi Province and policy decisions and funding from the central government. The city is responding through a cooperation framework involving the province and four other cities, aiming to reflect the project in the Fifth National Railroad Network Development Plan, which is expected to be announced at the end of this year.

For the economic free zone, even if the city prepares development plans and designation applications, the province must submit the designation application to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The city is coordinating with the Gyeonggi Economic Free Zone Authority to finalize development plans.

With such pending issues requiring the province to consult with the government and mediate differences among regions, Governor Choo is taking a confrontational stance, publicly criticizing the President and government over the selection of the head of the Serious Crime Investigation Division and prosecution reform. Kim Min-seok, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party, has also escalated conflict by raising issues regarding Governor Choo's local election consulting contract and the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival.

Suwon City is concerned about how this political situation may affect project implementation.

First, regarding military airport relocation and Gyeonggi Integrated International Airport construction, the city is closely watching whether cooperation between the province and central government may weaken due to external conflict, given that such cooperation is necessary.

In particular, the city maintains that without Gyeonggi Province selecting final candidate sites, there are limitations in recommending that the Gyeonggi International Airport be reflected in national plans, making the province's decision necessary.

Suwon City has identified whether the Seventh Comprehensive Airport Development Plan will include the project as a key issue that will determine project momentum over the next five years. The city expressed concern that if the plan does not include the project, work could be suspended until the next plan, potentially delaying regional growth opportunities.

The city stated that related procedures for establishing the economic free zone development plan are proceeding normally, and there have been no confirmed delays in the Southern Gyeonggi Metropolitan Railway due to political issues.

The city plans to continue visiting relevant agencies to recommend inclusion in national plans and maintain consultations.

A city official stated, "A clear decision and active commitment from Gyeonggi Province are necessary at this time to prevent substantive procedural delays," adding, "We will remain vigilant to ensure that project momentum does not weaken regardless of the political situation."