Wonju Proposes Surprise Merger with Hoengseong; What About Samcheok-Donghae?
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Wonju Mayor Won Gang-su unexpectedly proposed merging Wonju city with neighboring Hoengseong county, joining a broader wave of municipal consolidations across Korea (e.g., provincial and city integrations and other county-city mergers). In a briefing, the mayor cited national incentives for regional integration and said a Wonju–Hoengseong merger would position the area as a major inland hub, support upgrading Wonju Airport to international status, expand Route 5 to six lanes, and create synergies between Wonju’s AI industry and Hoengseong’s future mobility sector. He argued that generous incentives—such as employment subsidies, training support, tax and land-lease relief, streamlined approvals, and special zone backing—would attract investment in AI, semiconductors, advanced medical devices, and mobility, boosting jobs and youth in-migration. The mayor also noted that the two areas already share daily life patterns. Separately, discussions continue about merging Donghae and Samcheok, which is expected to be a hot topic in the upcoming local elections.
