Osan Mayor Jongho Cho: "Segyo 3 District Will Become a Self-Sustaining City Anchored by AI and Semiconductors"

[Interview] Jongho Cho, Mayor of Osan, Gyeonggi Province

"GTX-C and Bundang Line Extensions... Expanding Wide-Area Transportation Networks"

"Segyo 3 District Should Not Be Developed for Housing Alone"

"Connecting Citizens' Opinions Directly to Policy and Solutions"

"Building a Virtuous Economic Cycle Where Osan Residents Work and Consume Locally"

"I will transform Segyo 3 District into not just a site for residential supply, but the central hub of a self-sustaining city with robust foundations in transportation, industry, education, and culture."

Jo Yongho, Mayor of Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, revealed in an interview with our newspaper on the 14th his vision for a self-sufficient city linking Segyo 3 District with AI and semiconductor industries.

Jongho Cho, Mayor of Osan City in Gyeonggi Province, stated this during an interview with this publication on the 14th. He remarked, "The future of Osan depends on how we connect city growth centered around Segyo 3 District with the foundations of the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor industries."

Mayor Cho envisions Osan as a self-sustaining city equipped with jobs, transportation, and infrastructure for daily living—not a "bedroom community." Using Segyo 3 District as a growth anchor, he plans to expand wide-area transportation networks such as the extension of the GTX-C line to Osan and the extension of the Bundang Line. Harnessing its advantage as a supporting city for the southern metropolitan semiconductor industry belt, he aims to foster Osan into a future industry city where companies and young talent gather.

Mayor Cho identified "citizen-centered administration" as the core philosophy of the 9th civilian government. He intends for citizens not to be mere recipients of administrative services, but active participants in policymaking.

He explained, "It is essential that citizens’ voices are reflected not only in the process of making policies, ordinances, and budgets, but also in shaping Osan’s blueprint for the future. Building a structure in which citizens’ opinions lead to thorough review, policy formulation, and problem-solving is the so-called 'Jongho Cho-style citizen-centered administration.'"

Immediately after taking office, he directed more than 1,300 public officials to establish a system that allows citizens to participate in municipal governance. Mayor Cho commented, "If administration remains focused solely on internal judgment and procedures, it inevitably grows distant from citizens' lives. What truly matters is not the number or scale of projects, but whether citizens can feel tangible changes." The following is a Q&A with Mayor Cho.

-What is the essence of 'Jongho Cho-style citizen-centered administration'?

"The core principle of the 9th civilian administration is making citizens not simply the recipients of governance but co-creators. I will ensure that citizens’ voices are faithfully reflected in every process—not just policies, ordinances, and budgeting, but also in designing the future of Osan. Immediately after inauguration, I emphasized to over 1,300 public officials the importance of establishing systems for citizen participation. The success of administration should not be evaluated by the number or scale of projects, but by how much citizens feel meaningful changes. A city where citizens’ opinions are reflected in policy and where everyday inconveniences are resolved—that is the heart of 'Osan, a city of growth opened together with citizens.' I will listen directly to citizens' inconveniences and needs at the ground level and focus our limited budget and administrative resources on where they are most needed. The core of 'Jongho Cho-style citizen-centered administration' is that citizens’ voices directly translate into policy and problem-solving."

-What are the core growth engines that will drive Osan’s future?

"Osan is a young city with an average age of about 40, and with the continued move-in to Segyo District, its growth potential will only increase. Osan’s future growth engines lie in the fusion of Segyo 3 District with the AI and semiconductor industries. Segyo 3 District should not end up as another new town providing only housing. We will develop it as a self-sustaining city equipped with extensive transportation, jobs, as well as educational and cultural infrastructure. We will continue to persuade the central government and relevant agencies so that main transportation projects—such as the GTX-C extension to Osan, Bundang Line extension, and a crossing road for the Gyeongbu railway—advance alongside the development of Segyo District. Leveraging the strength of being a supporting city for the southern metropolitan semiconductor industrial belt, we will attract companies focused on semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, and establish a future industry city where AI is strategically integrated into industry, education, and administration—encouraging young people to work and companies to invest."

Jongho Cho, Mayor of Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, is communicating with citizens at the 'Mobile Mayor's Office' on July 27. Provided by Osan City

-What are the most pressing transportation issues in Osan and what are your solutions?

"With the development of Segyo District and the influx of residents into multifamily housing, both population and mobility demands have continued to rise, but the railway, roads, and public transportation infrastructure have not kept pace. Without tackling our transportation problems, we cannot expect sustainable growth for Osan. We will advance the extension projects of the GTX-C line and Bundang Line, and expand crossing roads for the Gyeongbu railway as well as connecting roads between Segyo District and the old downtown area. The key is resolving regional disconnection and chronic congestion. We will also reform public transportation that citizens use daily. By factoring in the timing of new resident moves and commuting and school travel patterns, we will improve bus routes, intervals, and transfer systems. By promoting both large-scale railway projects and practical, everyday transportation measures, we will deliver changes that citizens can genuinely feel."

-What are your plans for supporting small business owners and revitalizing the local economy?

"The essence of small business support is to increase sales and reduce operating burdens. We will upgrade facilities in line with the characteristics of traditional markets and neighborhood commercial districts and support online sales channels and marketing. To help small businesses facing cash flow difficulties, we will expand financial support and special guarantee programs. We will actively link support initiatives from the central government and Gyeonggi Province so that no one in need is left out. In the short term, we will ease management burdens for small business owners, and in the long term, we will increase companies and jobs for sustainable economic recovery. We aim to establish a virtuous economic cycle where citizens work in and consume goods and services within Osan."

-How will you achieve balanced development between the new city areas and the old downtown?

"New town development must not come at the expense of the old city center. In Segyo District, we will ensure that transportation, schools, and everyday social infrastructure are provided in a timely way. We will cooperate with relevant agencies from the early stages to ensure that educational, transport, and cultural facilities are expanded as housing is supplied, so as not to repeat the usual scenario where basic facilities come after residential buildings. In the old downtown, we will start with everyday infrastructures—residential environment, daily roads, parking, and pedestrian conditions—that citizens use daily. For traditional markets and neighborhood businesses, we will pursue revitalization initiatives tailored to each area's characteristics. We will preserve and enhance spaces representing Osan’s history and identity, while proactively upgrading outdated facilities and city environments. By integrating the new city and old downtown into one living and transportation zone, the benefits of developing Segyo District will also revitalize established business districts and the local economy."

-How will you ensure the effectiveness of the "Mobile Mayor’s Office"?

"The effectiveness of the Mobile Mayor’s Office should be measured not by the number of visits, but by whether the issues raised on site are actually resolved. True administration is completed not at the desk but directly in the field. I established the Mobile Mayor’s Office to hear residents’ voices by walking the streets myself. I will not stop at simply forwarding collected suggestions to the relevant departments. Instead, I will manage the full process from review and handling to feedback. Issues that can be resolved immediately will be acted on swiftly, and matters requiring budget allocation or coordination with other agencies will be transparently updated to citizens throughout the process. I will personally oversee both the process and the outcome. My goal is to make the Mobile Mayor's Office not a showpiece, but a true field-administration outlet for addressing citizens’ inconveniences."

Jo Yongho, mayor of Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, revealed his vision for a self-sufficient city linking Segyo 3 District with AI and semiconductor industries in an interview with this newspaper on the 14th.

-As mayor, how would you like to be remembered by citizens? What kind of change do you hope to bring?

"I hope to be recognized for creating a city that truly listens to its citizens and actually solves their problems. My goal is to make Osan a city where commuting is convenient, raising children is easy, and small business owners and young people can find new opportunities. By rooting our progress in Segyo 3 District, expansive transportation networks, and the semiconductor-AI industries, we will become a self-sustaining city with jobs and growth drivers. I will be a mayor who meets citizens eye-to-eye and addresses their daily problems with them. While always approaching citizens with warmth, I will act with responsibility in everything I do and deliver results on the promises made in the field. That is how I would like to be remembered."

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