The Gyeonggi Province expressed regret over the push to incorporate Guri City into Seoul and countered by stating that it would fully suspend the transfer procedures of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) to Guri City.
Koh Young Technology's economic vice governor in Gyeonggi Province held a press conference in the provincial office briefing room on the 21st to reveal this stance.
The vice governor noted, "Guri Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun claims he will simultaneously push for GH's transfer and incorporation into Seoul, which is contradictory," and added, "If Guri City is incorporated into Seoul, there is no reason for GH, a public agency of Gyeonggi Province, to go to Guri City."
He stated, "The GH transfer to Guri City is not just for Guri City, but symbolizes the northern development that will leap the stagnant North Gyeonggi Province into a new growth engine for South Korea," and urged, "Mayor Baek should stop deceiving the citizens of Guri City for personal political gain and inciting conflict among the citizens."
The vice governor emphasized that if Mayor Baek does not halt the attempt to incorporate Seoul, GH's transfer to Guri City will be completely nullified.
He asked, "Does Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon think the claims for incorporation of Guri City and Gimpo City align with the recent push for local autonomy constitutional amendments?" and urged, "Mayor Oh should swiftly declare the abandonment of Guri City and Gimpo City's push for incorporation, which goes against local decentralization and incites conflict."
Earlier, Guri City was selected as the target site for GH's transfer in a Gyeonggi Province public offering in 2021. The project involves constructing the GH headquarters building with a scale of 30,000 square meters on a 9,600 square meter site in Topyeong-dong, comprising three basement floors and 19 above-ground floors.