Mayor Shin Donghwa: "GH Relocation Moves to Implementation ... Guri-Based Operations Planned for First Half of Next Year"

[Interview with Local Government Leaders of the Ninth Term]
Shin Donghwa, Mayor of Guri
Securing a Temporary GH Office in the Second Half... Practical Negotiations Underway
Envisioning the Transformation into a Self-Sufficient City Linked with Topyeong 2 District
Considering GTX-B Galmae Station Stop and Subway Line 6 Extension
Mayor Shin: "We Will Make Guri a Growth Hub with Businesses and Jobs"

"The relocation of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH) to Guri is moving beyond a mere declaration and into the implementation phase. We are working to secure a temporary office building in the second half of this year and are conducting practical negotiations so that GH employees can begin working in Guri in the first half of next year."

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily on July 31, Shindonghwa, the Mayor of Guri City, stated that "the relocation of Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH) to Guri is moving beyond declaration to the execution stage."

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily on July 31, Shin Donghwa, Mayor of Guri City, named the relocation of the GH headquarters as a key policy goal of the ninth mayoral term. His vision goes beyond simply relocating a single public institution; he aims to attract partner companies and related industries, transforming Guri into a self-sufficient city where businesses and jobs abound.

Mayor Shin stated, "Until now, Guri has been limited to serving as a residential city behind Seoul. Now, we must transform into a competitive city where citizens do not have to leave for jobs in other regions." He emphasized, "By linking the relocation of GH and the development of the Topyeong 2 Public Housing District, we will turn Guri into a new growth hub in the northeastern part of the Seoul metropolitan area."

He also said that citizens would be at the heart of city administration. "The phrase 'citizens are the mayor' only has meaning when the opinions of residents are reflected in actual policy and administration," Shin remarked. "We will find answers in the field and deliver results and change, rather than just words."

The following is a Q&A with Mayor Shin Donghwa of Guri City.

- How is the relocation of the GH headquarters to Guri progressing?

"We have had extensive discussions with Gyeonggi Province and have met with the GH president numerous times to discuss concrete implementation plans. We are working to secure a temporary office building and complete the contract by the end of this year. In the first half of next year, we are negotiating practical arrangements so that GH staff can work in Guri. For Guri to grow as a sustainable city, it must move beyond a housing-centered structure into a self-sufficient city with businesses, jobs, and growth engines. The GH relocation is the starting point for such change. Northern Gyeonggi has long suffered development constraints due to overlapping regulations, including military facility protection zones, water source protection areas, and greenbelt zones. There is a need not just for balanced national development, but for internal balance within the Seoul metropolitan area. We will connect the GH relocation with the development of the Topyeong 2 District to lay the foundation for Guri to become a new growth hub in the northeastern metropolitan area. Going forward, we will steadily pursue corporate attraction and city development strategies, transforming Guri into a competitive city where businesses and jobs flourish, and delivering tangible changes that citizens can feel."

- What is your plan for the development of the Topyeong 2 Public Housing District?

"Topyeong 2 District must be developed not merely as a residential area, but as a self-sufficient city driving Guri's future growth. We will establish an urban structure where, beyond housing, work, commercial, and industrial functions are harmonized so citizens can work and live within Guri. Combining the GH relocation, we will lay the foundations to attract public institutions and companies, transforming the area into a space where high-quality jobs are created. We will expand the metropolitan transportation network, introduce smart city technologies, and establish eco-friendly infrastructure to nurture Topyeong 2 District as a new growth hub in the northeastern area of the capital region."

Office of the Relocation Promotion Team of Gyeonggi Housing Corporation. Provided by Guri City

- What are the plans for the GTX-B Galmae Station stop and transportation arrangements for the Topyeong 2 District?

"To solve Guri City's transportation issues, we must consider both citizen convenience and project feasibility. The establishment of the GTX-B Galmae Station stop is essential. We will actively persuade the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and involved stakeholders. For the extension of Subway Line 6, we will thoroughly review the economic feasibility and implementation potentials to develop a concrete plan. From the earliest stages of metropolitan transport improvement planning for the Topyeong 2 District, we will comprehensively address rail network expansion, the intersection redesign at Topyeong Samgeori, and the expansion of the Guri~Amsa Bridge, considering all road improvement measures."

- What are the strategies to revitalize tourism by leveraging Donggureung and the Han River?

"Guri boasts historical and natural assets in both the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Donggureung Royal Tombs and the Han River. We will link these with the culture and food offerings of the Guri Traditional Market to develop a destination where visitors linger and enjoy themselves. We are promoting the creation of a historical and cultural tourism district by connecting Donggureung and the former site of the 57th Division. We will offer differentiated content including historical and cultural experience and exhibition halls, a permanent performance venue, a market street, and a traditional Hanok village, making Guri a city that citizens and tourists want to spend time in and enjoy. The goal is for Guri to not just be a city that people pass through, but a leading historical and cultural tourism city in the metropolitan region that people seek out and stay in deliberately."

- With difficult financial conditions, what is your fiscal management principle?

"Guri City's financial situation is challenging. We will increase fiscal efficiency and boldly cut unnecessary spending. However, welfare and essential administration directly impacting citizens’ lives will not be compromised. Investment will focus on growth initiatives that contribute to stabilizing residents' livelihoods, job creation, and expansion of tax revenue. For large-scale development projects, we will proactively utilize national and provincial funds, as well as public and private sector financial resources, to minimize the fiscal burden. We will proceed prudently and responsibly, prioritizing projects that genuinely benefit the citizens."

- What is Guri’s unique strength in the intra-metropolitan northeast city development race?

"Guri’s greatest competitive edge lies in its location bordering Seoul and its centrality as a transportation hub connecting the northeastern metropolitan area. Instead of competing over scale with other cities, we must leverage Guri’s unique strengths to grow as a self-sufficient city with jobs and industries. By successfully relocating GH and attracting partner firms and related industries, we will create new jobs. In Topyeong 2 District, we will lay the foundation for future industries such as AI and data. The Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market will also be modernized as a logistics hub for northeast metropolitan distribution, featuring an AI-based logistics system. We will ensure citizens feel the momentum of economic vitality and build a foundation for sustainable growth."

- What are your strategies for industries and job creation to advance Guri into a self-sufficient city?

"We must establish an economic base so that citizens don't need to leave Guri for jobs, enabling them to work and live within the city. The most crucial task is to ensure the successful relocation of GH's main office. Using this as a springboard, we will attract partner firms and related industries to create quality jobs and inject vitality into the local economy. Centered on Topyeong 2 District, we will establish foundations for future industries such as AI and data, and carry out strategies to attract companies capable of unlocking Guri’s growth potential. Successfully completing the agreed-upon GH relocation will mark the first step toward Guri becoming a self-sufficient city."

Shin Donghwa, Mayor of Guri City, stated in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on July 31, "The relocation of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Development Corporation (GH) to Guri is moving beyond the declaration stage and entering the implementation phase."

- What welfare policies do you have in response to low birth rates and an aging population?

"To address low birth rates and population aging, support systems must encompass the entire life cycle, from childbirth and child care to education, employment, and retirement. We will establish a 24-hour emergency care center and a public postpartum care center and improve the educational environment, making Guri a city where it is good to raise children. Through the relocation of GH and attraction of partner companies, we will build a foundation so young people can work in Guri and strengthen support for youth asset building. For senior welfare, we will shift from passive welfare to proactive outreach. We will expand integrated care for discharged patients and emergency safety services, creating a city where all generations can live without concern."

- How will you embody the administrative philosophy 'citizens are the mayor'?

"I believe the philosophy of 'citizens are the mayor' is realized only when citizens’ opinions are genuinely reflected in policy and administration. We will institutionalize regular 'citizen empathy road checks,' directly visiting major project sites and citizen feedback locations, ensuring that opinions heard in the field lead to improvements and solutions. We will revitalize participation channels such as resident assemblies and citizen proposals, fostering field-oriented administration where the voices of citizens are reflected in decision-making and execution. I am determined to make Guri a city where citizens are truly in charge."

- What is the main goal you want to achieve in the ninth mayoral term?

"The core goal of the ninth mayoral term is to revitalize the stagnant local economy and establish a strong foundation for Guri’s transition to a self-sufficient city. By strengthening self-sufficiency and improving the metropolitan transport network responsibly, by the end of my term I aim to create a city brimming with jobs and a vibrant local economy where citizens experience real improvements in their daily lives. I am committed to making Guri a warm and competitive city where people are proud to live."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.