Sejong Mayoral Candidates Split on Expanding Tech Valley Tenant Sectors

Tenant companies in knowledge industry centers within Sejong Tech Valley are demanding an expansion of eligible industries, drawing attention due to the diverging stances of the rival Sejong mayoral candidates. Currently, tenant industries in Sejong Tech Valley are operated restrictively according to laws and ordinances. The management association has argued that limiting industries to concentrated high-tech fields such as IT, BT, and NT weakens corporate competitiveness and hinders growth, thus demanding an expansion of eligible sectors.

Democratic Party candidate Cho Sang-ho and People Power Party candidate Choi Min-ho attended a public hearing on the 27th, hosted by the management association of a knowledge industry center in Jiphyeon-dong, Sejong Tech Valley. Key agenda items discussed at the hearing included resolving parking issues, attracting a childcare center, expanding tenant industries, and preventing competition between private and public knowledge industry centers. Both candidates listened to the tenants' grievances and pledged their support.

Candidate Cho stated that he would positively review easing the industry restrictions for tenant companies. He explained the need for flexible regulation application to vitalize the local economy and foster corporate growth.

In contrast, Candidate Choi presented a cautious approach, emphasizing the need to consider the purpose for designating Sejong Tech Valley as an urban high-tech industrial complex and ensure equity with other industrial facilities within the region. Choi stressed the importance of respecting the original intent behind Sejong Tech Valley's designation as a high-tech industrial complex and seeking balanced development for the entire industrial park rather than offering preferential treatment to specific industries. He added that while discussions on expanding tenant sectors would be approached cautiously, measures would be prepared after fully gathering the opinions of the tenant companies.

Both candidates expressed empathy for the difficulties faced by Sejong Tech Valley's tenant companies and affirmed their commitment to resolving issues, but they proposed different approaches regarding the expansion of tenant industries.