Wonju-si asks vice minister of the interior and safety for support on special status for large cities and an immigration service center

[Financial News, Wonju = Reporter Kim Gi-seop] Wonju-si has asked the government to support key local issues, including securing special status for large cities and establishing an immigration civil service center.
According to Wonju-si on the 31st, Mayor Gu Ja-yeol met with Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Min-jae that day and requested government support and cooperation for the smooth implementation of major pending projects.
First, Wonju-si urged the government to actively pursue institutional reforms to secure special status for large cities. It also asked for support in easing the requirements for being recognized as a large city under the Special Act on Decentralization and Balanced Regional Development, which is currently pending in the National Assembly, so that a regional hub city handling substantial administrative demand can respond more effectively to the risk of local extinction.
The city also proposed establishing a Wonju immigration civil service center to reduce inconvenience for foreign residents as their numbers continue to grow. It said the current mobile immigration service, which operates only once a month, is not enough to meet rising demand, and asked that Wonju-si be designated as a regional hub covering southern Yeongseo and nearby local governments, with more dedicated staff assigned to support the new center.
Wonju-si has been visiting central government ministries and the National Assembly to explain the need for its key projects and to secure national and provincial funding, which is essential for their uninterrupted progress. This visit to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety was part of that effort, and the city said it will continue to respond proactively so that local issues are reflected in government policy and budget planning.
Wonju Mayor Gu Ja-yeol said, "We will continue to communicate steadily with the government to resolve long-standing local issues and strengthen the city's competitiveness," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that the projects we proposed this time lead to tangible results."

[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter