Reserve Forces Training Center Relocation Target Site Selected through Public Opinion Forum

Uijeongbu City (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) announced on August 23 that it will decide on the relocation site of the reserve force training center located in Howon-dong through a ‘citizen public opinion forum’ that will allow for the democratic participation and sufficient deliberation of citizens. This is a measure to resolve regional conflicts surrounding the relocation of the reserve force training center and to reflect citizens’ opinions in policy decisions.

[Korean Today] Uijeongbu City, Howon-dong Reserve Forces Training Center Selects Relocation Target Site Through ‘Citizens’ Public Opinion Forum’ © Reporter Eunyoung Kang

In October 2021, the Central Urban Planning Committee conditionally approved the relocation of the reserve force training center to Jajil-dong, but the 8th elected Uijeongbu City decided to reexamine the relocation plan, judging that the opinions of citizens were not sufficiently reflected in the process.

Since then, Uijeongbu City has been pushing for relocation to other regions through consultation with the Ministry of National Defense. However, the Ministry of National Defense has been adhering to the principle of maintaining the reserve force training center within Uijeongbu in accordance with the ‘Basic Defense Reform Plan for 2014-2030’, and has experienced difficulties in the consultation. The Ministry of National Defense has stated that if the relocation of the training center is delayed, there may be disruption in the operation of reserve forces that are important for the defense of the capital, and the possibility of maintaining the existing Howon-dong reserve force training center has also been raised.

Nevertheless, Uijeongbu City continued to push forward with proposals that took into account limited land resources, and eventually received approval from the Ministry of National Defense to propose the ‘establishment of a resident-friendly scientific reserve force training center targeting only Uijeongbu City reserve force resources (approximately 24,000 people)’. Accordingly, the area of the previous training center was reduced by half from the original 100,000 pyeong to 50,000 pyeong, and it was decided to include resident-friendly elements such as parks, waterside facilities, sports facilities, and parking facilities within the training center.

Currently, the city is conducting a preliminary survey for the formation of a public forum starting in August, and plans to launch a preparatory committee for the formation of a public forum for citizens in September. The preparatory committee will discuss the agenda, composition, and procedures of the public forum, and officially launch the public forum for citizens in mid-October. In this public forum, citizens who voluntarily participate will decide on the training center relocation target site and support conditions through discussion and deliberation, and propose this to Uijeongbu City.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun said, “I apologize to the citizens for not being able to relocate the reserve force training center outside the district,” and added, “In a situation where it must remain within the district, we will select the relocation site in a transparent and rational manner under the leadership of citizens through a public forum.”

Uijeongbu City successfully operated the ‘Citizens’ Forum for Solving Uijeongbu City Incinerator Problems’ last year, forming a consensus within the region and deriving social consensus. This case was also selected as the best innovative case at the ‘2023 Gyeonggi-do Public Conflict Management Best Practice Selection Contest’.