Gangwon Province "Chuncheon City's Rejection of Administrative Complex Proposal is a Refusal to Relocate the Provincial Office"

【Financial News Chuncheon=Kim Ki-seop Reporter】Regarding the construction of the new Gangwon Provincial Office and the administrative complex, Gangwon Province and Gangwon Development Corporation are deepening the conflict between the two institutions by issuing statements refuting Chuncheon City's claims.
Gangwon Autonomous Province and Gangwon Development Corporation held a press briefing at the provincial office on the 16th with the content titled 'Position on Chuncheon City's Statement' and expressed their stance on Chuncheon City's claims.
First, regarding the creation of apartment complexes within the administrative complex, Gangwon Province stated, "The relocation of the provincial office, public office buildings, and the creation of commercial, business, and media towns mean spaces with combined functions and residential functions," and clarified, "It is not changing Media Town into a residential area."
They added, "In other cases of relocating provincial offices such as Gyeongbuk and Chungnam, public infrastructure maintenance and residential conditions were commonly included," and criticized Chuncheon City's claim that the relocation of the provincial office and apartment construction are separate as ignoring the principles and reality of planned cities."
Regarding Chuncheon City's claim of insufficient prior consultation on the population accommodation plan, Gangwon Province argued, "We consulted with an advance review document reflecting a population of 11,838 and 4,735 housing units as of April 2024, and requested prior consultation before submitting the proposal when starting the development plan establishment service last March, but Chuncheon City only arranged a joint briefing session on April 23," claiming "Chuncheon City delayed the response."
Especially regarding the old city center hollowing out measures, Gangwon Province pointed out, "The old city center hollowing out measures are an area where Gangwon Province, Chuncheon City, and the project implementer must cooperate, but Chuncheon City is shifting responsibility by only demanding financial input plans from Gangwon Province and Gangwon Development Corporation."
Gangwon Province also countered, "The promotion of new projects by Gangwon Development Corporation is decided through thorough feasibility studies and board deliberation, and requires local council approval," and argued, "At this stage, it is impossible to present a specific financial input plan for the old city center as demanded by Chuncheon City."
Gangwon Province also expressed its stance on the issues of funding procurement and delays in the construction of the new office building.
The province stated, "This project is a policy project of Gangwon Province, and the provincial council has already approved the investment agreement as originally proposed," and criticized Chuncheon City for rejecting the main project citing 'financial instability' as an excessive judgment beyond the scope of legal review."
They continued, "Chuncheon City announced that it is processing administrative procedures for the relocation of the provincial office smoothly, but the ongoing traffic impact assessment for the new office building has been delayed for six months since last March," pointing out Chuncheon City's lukewarm attitude.
A Gangwon Province official said, "Chuncheon City claims as if it is willing to consult with Gangwon Province and Gangwon Development Corporation, but if so, they should have requested a supplement to the proposal instead of rejecting it," and criticized, "Chuncheon City claims that reapplication is possible, but it is like dismissing a lawsuit and then asking to file it again, mocking Gangwon Province."
Previously, Chuncheon City issued a statement titled 'Official Statement on Gangwon Development Corporation's Position' on the 15th, pointing out issues such as apartment construction plans and old city center hollowing out.
kees26@fnnews.com Kim Ki-seop Reporter