The development project for the Hyun-deok District in the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, which has been stalled for 18 years, faces renewed uncertainty following a feasibility review by the Local Public Enterprise Evaluation Institute that deemed its economic and financial viability insufficient. This has led to increased calls for Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City to formulate comprehensive measures to minimize resident impacts.
Lee Eun-woo, chair of the Pyeongtaek Citizens Foundation, stated on July 28 via social media, "The Hyun-deok District development project has caused significant restrictions on property rights and inconveniences for residents due to its prolonged delay," urging Gyeonggi Province and Pyeongtaek City to quickly devise realistic alternatives for normalizing the project.
He added, "We need to reassess the feasibility by enhancing the project's viability and supplementing the project plan, while also incorporating qualitative factors such as regional balanced development and policy necessity. A thorough review considering the unique characteristics of the western region and Hyun-deok area is essential."
Furthermore, he emphasized that residents, who have endured various regulations for 18 years while relying on the development project, should not bear further sacrifices. He called for realistic support measures for residents affected by long-term development restrictions, regardless of the project's status.
Earlier, the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone Authority announced plans to proceed with the project using a public development model in partnership with the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) and the Pyeongtaek Urban Corporation as joint project implementers. At that time, the Authority expressed intentions to normalize the Hyun-deok District through public development and stimulate the local economy, projecting that phased compensation could begin in 2027 if the project proceeded as planned.
However, a feasibility review conducted by the Local Public Enterprise Evaluation Institute in June found that both economic and financial viability fell short of the required standards, and there were insufficient policy needs regarding regional underdevelopment. Overall, the evaluation indicated that the conditions for advancing the project were somewhat lacking, introducing significant variables into the swift implementation of the public development model.
Ahn Gye-myung, a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly's Urban Environment Committee, also held a meeting on July 22 to assess the current status of the Hyun-deok District development project and explore swift implementation strategies.
During the meeting, discussions focused on analyzing the feasibility review results, supplementary measures to enhance project viability, and future timelines for the project.
The project, which encompasses approximately 700,000 pyeong in the Jangsu-ri and Gwonmyeon areas of Pyeongtaek City, has an estimated total cost of about 1.8 trillion won. The main challenges identified include rising construction costs and a lack of corporate demand due to economic downturns.
Ahn Gye-myung pointed out, "Since the designation of the area in 2008, the Hyun-deok District project has been stalled for 18 years, causing severe infringements on property rights and living inconveniences for local residents due to land transaction restrictions. Given the Local Public Enterprise Evaluation Institute's conservative assessment, residents' disappointment is significant, and there should be no further delays."
Lee Eun-woo urged for transparency in the progress of the Hyun-deok District development project to residents and called for comprehensive measures to activate the project to alleviate uncertainties, expressing hope that urban development strategies would be publicized and lead to improved quality of life for local residents.
Meanwhile, the prolonged delay in the development plan has resulted in restrictions on construction activities such as new builds and expansions, leading to various issues including limitations on property rights, financial burdens, community conflicts, and neglected infrastructure. Residents have reported accumulating mental and economic distress due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the project's future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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