Kim Dong-yeon: "Will Develop Suwon Youngwhae District as a Global Cultural and Tourism Hub Linked to Hwaseong Fortress"
[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gab-dong] Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province announced plans to develop the Suwon Youngwhae Urban Regeneration Innovation District (Suwon Youngwhae District) as a global cultural and tourism hub linked to Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Gyeonggi Province held an 'Urban Regeneration Innovation District Competition Selection On-site Briefing' on the 12th in Youngwhae-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, where urban regeneration visions were shared with local residents. The event was organized as part of the livelihood economy field tour and was attended by approximately 100 people including Governor Kim, Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, members of parliament, provincial assemblymen, and local residents.
Governor Kim said, "When I visited Jangan-gu, Suwon in February last year and heard about the Youngwhae District, I decided to pursue this together, and now seeing good results, I think 'dreams come true.' We have secured government funding, and I am pleased that Suwon City and Gyeonggi Tourism Organization are participating."
He added, "This morning I announced a comprehensive plan related to North Suwon Techno Valley to lead in advanced industries. The Techno Valley will become a premium town with integrated work, leisure, and living facilities, uniquely nationwide, and the Youngwhae District will become a premium town where tourism and culture harmonize, including Hwaseong Fortress. With these two elements, I pledge that Gyeonggi Province will spare no effort in support to develop Jangan-gu, Suwon into Korea's most outstanding city."
Previously, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 5th that the Youngwhae-dong Urban Regeneration Innovation District in Suwon City was selected as one of three final selected sites in the 2025 first-half urban regeneration project competition, following deliberation by the Urban Regeneration Special Committee.
Urban Regeneration Innovation Districts are district-unit development projects that establish regional hubs with diverse functions including industry, commerce, welfare, and administration under public leadership to promote urban regeneration in declining areas. Business can be advanced swiftly through integrated deliberation by the Urban Regeneration Special Committee, financial subsidies, and support for Housing and Urban Fund loans.
The Suwon Youngwhae District has pursued urban development projects since 2004 with the goal of creating cultural and experiential spaces in the Youngwhae-dong 152-8 area. However, due to insufficient business viability caused by building height restrictions in Suwon's Hwaseong historical and cultural environment preservation zone, the project was delayed for over 20 years, leading to intensified decline including population outflow and commercial stagnation.
In response, Governor Kim pledged to develop the Youngwhae District at a 'Local Issues Consultation Meeting' held at Jangan Gate in Jangan-gu, Suwon in February last year. From the candidate selection stage of the Urban Regeneration Innovation District last year, intensive professional consulting support was provided to increase the feasibility and completeness of the business plan in consideration of local conditions and characteristics.
Following the selection as an innovation district, Gyeonggi Province and Suwon City will create a cultural and tourism hub with combined accommodation, commercial, public, and cultural facilities on a 20,452-square-meter site. The total project cost is 180.3 billion won. The project will be jointly implemented by Suwon City, Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, and Suwon Urban Development Corporation. Construction is planned to begin in 2027 with completion targeted for 2030. The site will include 148 accommodation units, the Gyeonggi Tourism Enterprise Support Center, public parking, cultural complex halls, and local brand shops.
In particular, an innovation hub will be established to enhance cultural and tourism functions utilizing the adjacent Hwaseong Fortress, and resident convenience facilities needed by the community will be expanded. Through this, the plan aims to cultivate tourism enterprises, create jobs, revitalize the regional economy, and recover urban vitality.
At the briefing, the innovation district competition selection process and business plan were presented, followed by a communication meeting with residents. Following the briefing, participants including Governor Kim examined the planned innovation district site and discussed the direction of business implementation.
Through the development of this innovation district, Gyeonggi Province plans to simultaneously address downtown decline, activate the regional economy, promote tourism industry growth, and improve residents' quality of life. Additionally, the goal is to develop the area as a global cultural and tourism hub linked to Hwaseong Fortress and enhance urban brand value.
Meanwhile, Governor Kim will continue field tours for livelihood economy in Uijeongbu City on the 15th and Anyang City on the 16th. These follow previous tours in Pyeongtaek on August 20, Yangju on the 26th, Namyangju on the 27th, and Suwon on September 12. In Uijeongbu City, Governor Kim plans to communicate about Gyeonggi Province's will for peace and improvements in transportation environment for development of northern Gyeonggi. In Anyang City, plans include discussing improvements in residents' quality of life through opportunity towns and aging new town development projects, and visiting various livelihood sites.