Mayor Jo Yongho Requests Support from Governor Choo Mi-ae for Seogyo 3 District and Bundang Line Extension

Osan City Requests AI City Project Approval and Increased AMAT Cash Support
Mayor Jo: "Provincial Cooperation Needed for Osan’s Growth and Balanced Development in Southern Gyeonggi"

Jo Yongho, Mayor of Osan City in Gyeonggi Province, met with Choo Mi-ae, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, on the 31st to request the province's support regarding local issues such as the Seogyo 3 Public Housing District and the extension of the Bundang Line.

On the 31st, Cho Yongho, Mayor of Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, met with Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae to request provincial support for local issues including the Segyo 3 Public Housing District and the extension of the Bundang Line, and they took a commemorative photo together. Provided by Osan City

On the afternoon of the same day at Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Mayor Jo held a meeting with Governor Choo and stated, "With Osan City's budget at around 900 billion won, it is realistically difficult to improve citizens' safety, transportation, and residential conditions with only our own resources. For balanced development in southern Gyeonggi and the growth of the province, we need greater interest and cooperation for Osan."

Governor Choo replied, "I will review the current issues in Osan carefully, and the province will cooperate where possible."

During this meeting, Mayor Jo proposed: △participation of Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) as a joint business entity for the Seogyo 3 Public Housing District project; △extension of the Bundang Line from Giheung to Seogyo 2 and 3 Districts; △improvement of traffic congestion at Buk-Osan IC; △establishing a new Kyunggi Penha G Bus route connecting Seogyo 2 District to Seoul's Gangnam and Gyodae; △prompt approval of the implementation plan for the Unamteul AI City project; and △expansion of cash support for the local investment project by Applied Materials (AMAT).

With regard to the Seogyo 3 District, Mayor Jo requested that the province support securing a self-sustaining land area of about 990,000 square meters (equivalent to 300,000 pyeong) to build a semiconductor industry ecosystem, asking for their assistance in negotiations with Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).

He further stressed the need for GH’s participation in the Seogyo 3 District, noting GH’s prior involvement as joint project executor in the three major new towns of Hanam Gyosan, Namyangju Wangsuk, Ansan Jangsang, and Gwangmyeong·Siheung.

According to Mayor Jo, "If GH participates, Gyeonggi Province's housing, transportation, industry, and employment policies can be incorporated into the urban development process."

Regarding the Bundang Line extension project from Giheung to Osan, which was excluded from the preliminary feasibility study target list in March, Mayor Jo requested the province to promote another preliminary feasibility analysis, improve the project's economic feasibility, and actively help include it in the Ministry of Economy and Budget's list for preliminary feasibility review. He also presented his position that, considering the increased transportation demand due to the development of Seogyo 2 and 3 Districts, the route should connect from Osan University Station to both Seogyo 2 and 3 Districts.

Mayor Jo also requested improvements to the traffic network at 10 major intersections, including the expansion of the Buk-Osan IC access road and the Samae intersection.

As a short-term traffic measure, he requested the inauguration of a new Kyunggi Penha G Bus route connecting Seogyo 2 District to Gangnam and Gyodae stations in Seoul. The Kyunggi Penha G Bus is an express base bus that is pre-booked and used through a dedicated app.

Mayor Yoongho Cho of Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, met with Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae on the 31st to request support from Gyeonggi Province on local issues such as the Segyo 3 public housing district and the extension of the Bundang Line, and they are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Osan City

For the Unamteul AI City urban development project, which has faced long delays, he asked for prompt processing of the implementation plan approval application once it is submitted, in order to address the fatigue among residents caused by the prolonged project. The authority to designate the urban development area for this project rests with Gyeonggi Province.

He also requested an increase in cash support for the investment by Applied Materials (AMAT), a leading global semiconductor equipment company. Mayor Jo noted, "Compared to nearby local governments, the scale of AMAT's investment is substantial, but the cash support ratio from the province is insufficient," and proposed adjusting the current 50:50 cost-sharing ratio between the province and the city to 7:3 or 6:4.

He further called for an increase in special adjustment grants for the successful hosting of the Gyeonggi Provincial Sports Games in 2027 and 2028, to secure funding for the construction of the Samae Baseball Stadium, upgrades to the Malgeumteo Park badminton court, Osan Municipal Tennis Court, Air Dome Badminton Court, and for operating expenses for the events.

Mayor Jo asked for the establishment of a second entrance route at the Mulhyanggi Arboretum, where visitor numbers have increased since free admission began. He commented, "A second entrance is necessary to resolve the narrow access road and parking shortage, and to enhance accessibility and safety for both citizens and provincial residents."

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