Suwon and Yongin Complete First Reciprocal Administrative District Exchange with Residential Areas in Korea

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City and Yongin City completed the first reciprocal administrative district exchange of residential areas in Korea.

The "Regulation on the Change of Administrative Jurisdiction between Suwon and Yongin in Gyeonggi Province," which was approved and promulgated at the State Council meeting in August, took effect on the 13th. Accordingly, a semi-residential area of 42,619.8 square meters around Route 42 in Suwon's Woncheon-dong was incorporated into Yongin City, and an area of 85,961 square meters around Cheongmyeong Centrevil Apartment in Yongin was incorporated into Suwon City, as announced by Suwon City on the 15th.

Suwon City explained that this is the first time in Korea that administrative district adjustment occurs for a city area where residents actually live.

The discussion about boundary adjustment between the two local governments began in 2012 when residents of Cheongmyeong Centrevil Apartment requested incorporation into Suwon City, citing concerns about children's school commute safety.

Although residents of Cheongmyeong Centrevil Apartment's living sphere is centered on Suwon, they were administratively included in Yongin City during the Yeongdeung New City development process, which created problems. Elementary school students living in Cheongmyeong Centrevil Apartment had to attend Heungdeok Elementary School in Yongin, 1.19 kilometers away across an 8-lane highway, instead of Hwanggok Elementary School in Suwon, which was only 246 meters away. Gyeonggi Province proposed boundary adjustment plans several times but failed to reach an agreement.

In June 2017, Suwon City submitted a policy proposal regarding boundary adjustment to "Gwanghwamun 1st Avenue" (a policy proposal platform). In November of the same year, Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young appealed on the Blue House's "Citizens' Petitions and Suggestions" bulletin board, requesting that "the government actively mediate to ensure boundary adjustment is conducted with priority given to residents' opinions." The mayor's petition received media coverage and drew attention.

Eventually, after consultations, Suwon City and Yongin City held a public hearing to gather residents' opinions. In March, both city councils expressed support for boundary adjustment. In April, the Gyeonggi Province Council passed the "Suwon-Yongin Boundary Adjustment" agenda at its plenary session.

On April 18, Suwon City and Yongin City signed a "Joint Boundary Adjustment Agreement" and agreed to reciprocally exchange the semi-residential area around Route 42 in Suwon's Woncheon-dong and the Cheongmyeong Centrevil Apartment area. Both cities plan to actively cooperate in supporting residents in the incorporated areas and transferring various administrative affairs resulting from the administrative district changes.