County Governor Jeon Jinseon: "Relocating Firing Range, Attracting Horse-Racing Park... Revitalizing Local Economy"

Yangpyeong County Pushes to Close 1.43-Million-Pyeong Yongmunsan Shooting Range

Public and Private Sectors Join Forces to Attract Eco-Friendly Horse-Racing Park

"National-Level Grand Bargain" to Transform County into an Eco-Friendly Leisure

Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, is working to revitalize its local economy, focusing on relocating the Yongmunsan firing range, a longstanding goal of more than 40 years, attracting a horse-racing park, and developing the Yangdong General Industrial Complex. The county will also distribute key administrative functions to Yongmun-myeon to spur development in the eastern region and expand the foundation for local currency use and employment support for different age groups.

Artist's rendering of the proposed horse-racing theme park at the site of the Yongmunsan firing range. Provided by Yangpyeong County.

According to Yangpyeong County on October 9, the county is launching a set of measures to revitalize the local economy. It plans to establish a cooperation system among relevant departments to improve the effectiveness of implementation and deliver results that residents can see and feel.

A key priority is attracting a horse-racing park in connection with relocating and closing the Yongmunsan firing range, which has threatened residents' right to live safely for more than 40 years due to explosions and the risk of accidental discharges. The county is pursuing a plan to ease the burden on residents who have long been exposed to explosions and the risk of accidental discharges at the range, and to transform the 4,751,136-square-meter site (approximately 1.43 million pyeong) into an eco-friendly ecological and leisure complex.

The county is exploring a "big deal" solution that would link the government's housing supply measures for the Seoul metropolitan area with the closure of the firing range. The Urban Planning Division, Livestock and Companion Animal Division, and Tourism Division are working together on a plan to attract a horse-racing park featuring an eco-friendly racetrack built to international standards, smart spectator facilities, and ecological and leisure amenities for families.

A review of relevant laws and a feasibility analysis are currently underway. Starting with the launch ceremony for the "Countywide Residents' Campaign to Bring a Horse-Racing Park to Yangpyeong," the county plans to organize a petition drive to build support for the project among residents.

Launch ceremony for the countywide residents' campaign to bring a horse racing park to Yangpyeong. Courtesy of Yangpyeong County.

The county is also working to distribute administrative functions to promote balanced development in the eastern region. It plans to relocate key departments, including the Garden and Forest Division, to areas in Yongmun-myeon to establish a growth hub and reduce disparities in administrative services between regions.

Based on the results of an organizational assessment study, the county is reviewing the work characteristics of departments slated for relocation and how accessible they will be to residents seeking services. It aims to complete the move by 2030, following the selection of a site and the required administrative procedures.

The county will expand the scope of use and the number of participating merchants for the "Yangpyeong Love Gift Certificate" to boost local spending. The number of participating merchants rose from 1,156 last year to 1,271 this year. The county plans to recruit more merchants in the second half of the year and promote the gift certificate's use in both the public and private sectors to reduce the outflow of local funds.

Employment support will be strengthened to meet the needs of middle-aged and older residents. Job centers in Yangpyeong, Yongmun, and Yangseo operate specialized counseling desks for people aged 40 to 64 who are approaching or have reached retirement. They provide a range of support in one place, from career assessments and tailored job placement to job-skills training. The county also plans to expand jobs for older adults and develop projects suited to local needs, including cafe operations, the preparation of ceremonial foods, and support for park golf.

Residents' meeting at Yangdong General Industrial Complex. Photo provided by Yangpyeong County.

The 58,306-square-meter Yangdong General Industrial Complex, planned for the Yangdong-myeon area, is being developed with completion targeted for 2030. After signing a business agreement in October 2024 and conducting feasibility and tenant-demand surveys, the county completed the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's announcement of its industrial complex designation plan and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's central investment review last year.

In January this year, the county began commissioning a basic plan design study. It plans to consult with relevant agencies next year, obtain approval and publish the designation in 2028, and proceed with land compensation. Construction and sales are scheduled to begin in 2029.

The county has also significantly improved its administrative procedures. It has consolidated the handling of development activities and forestry and agricultural land matters, while separating permitting from post-approval management. By establishing a web server for an "Integrated Permitting System," the county plans to reduce the time needed for consultations and additional document requests, easing the burden on residents seeking permits.

Opening ceremony for Cafe Yunseul at the Yangpyeong Senior Club. Provided by Yangpyeong County.

Yangpyeong County Governor Jeon Jin-seon said, "From relocating the Yongmunsan firing range, a goal we have pursued for 40 years, to attracting a horse-racing park and developing the Yangdong General Industrial Complex, we are preparing for a major leap forward for the local economy. We will draw on the area's optimal environment and location to strengthen our bid to attract the horse-racing park, and focus all our capabilities on successfully developing the industrial complex and creating quality jobs."

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