Introduction to Goyang City

Goyang is a city of festivities filled with delightful dynamics of modernism and tranquility of nature. Let's know more about it!

About Goyang City

Goyang City is located just northwest of Seoul and, with a population of more than one million, is the largest city in northern Gyeonggi-do (the second largest city in the province after Suwon). The name ‘Goyang’ is derived from the names Gobong and Deokyang, which were two counties that were joined together in 1413 by King Taejong.

Goyang has been known as a commuter town (satellite city) for decades since one of its districts, Ilsan, was developed in order to alleviate housing shortages in Seoul. That is why Goyang City is less well-endowed in terms of economic and industrial infrastructure compared to other larger cities. Nonetheless, it is home to a large number of broadcasting corporations, such as EBS, JTBC, MBC, SBS and CJ E&M Studios, which contribute to the economic vitality of the city.

The city is famous for the Korean International Exhibition Center, or KINTEX, the largest MICE venue in Korea where various exhibitions and conferences are held every year. Ilsan Lake Park is also a landmark of the city where the Goyang Lake Art Festival and Goyang International Flower Festival are held.

Goyang is also renowned as the hometown of many famous celebrities such as RM of BTS and D.O. of EXO, as well as the performers Song Ji-hyo and Jeon So-min, who are regular cast members of the variety show Running Man.

Also, check out the cute mascot of the city, “Goyang Goyangi,” whose name is derived from wordplay on 'goyang-i,' meaning cat in Korean. 

Hyundai Motor Studio Goyang
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Current Policies and Industries

Customized Job Search Program of Goyang

The Goyang Customized Job Search Program helps job seekers develop the skills sought by various companies with the support of experienced instructors. The program is geared to identify and develop skilled individuals who can immediately begin work.

A total of 188 participants have participated in this program so far, of which 111 (approximately 60%) have found employment. Of particular note, instructors from CJ E&M shared their broadcasting and management know-how with program participants, which leads to their employment.

Goyang City aims to increase the employment rate of program participants up to 70% in the following year.

Samsong Youth Entrepreneurship and Startup Center

Goyang City has announced that a youth entrepreneurship and startup center will be founded in the vicinity of the old Samsong primary school, which was closed in 2014. The center will concentrate on supporting high-tech industries such as information & communications technology (ICT), and internet data centers (IDC) along with various startups.

The budget for the project is KRW 65 billion and construction is scheduled to run from 2024 to 2026.

Renewable Energy Plan

Goyang City Mayor Lee Jae-jun announced that the city government will actively propel a project to supply renewable energy this year so as to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 468 tons.

The budget for renewable energy initiatives this year totals KRW 5.1 billion, representing a 150 percent increase over last year’s budget. The city plans to expand the supply of renewable energy by installing large-scale solar power facilities using idle land (1,254kW) as well as through private support such as energy self-sufficient communities (523kW), a mini solar photovoltaic panel support project (45kW), and a renewable housing support project (12kW). 

Latest News and Action Plan for 2021

Last year cannot be explained without the word ‘pandemic.’ Responding to this crisis, Goyang City implemented the first ‘drive-thru’ COVID-19 screening program in the world, which has now become a global benchmark.

In 2021, Goyang City plans to concentrate its budget on environmental protection and tourism. 

Wondang Horse Ranch (Let's Run Farm)
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Eco-friendly policies

Goyang City government will expand renewable energy generation facilities and plans to replace local buses with electric buses while also continuing to expand the supply of low-emission vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars. It will also support the attachment of bicycle license plates and create five new bike paths so as to foster Goyang’s development as a bike-friendly city. Furthermore, it will encourage the use of eco-friendly shared bicycles.

Apart from the energy sector, Goyang City also plans to create an urban forest and expand its ‘green roof’ initiative so as to ease the threat from carbon dioxide emissions. Concurrently, to reduce the use of plastic, the city government will encourage cafes to use eco-friendly cups and straws and will also install recycling machines that provide incentives to those who deposit plastic bottles and cans.

Ilsan Lake Park
ⓒGyeonggi Province

Improvements in Tourism

Some surprising changes will be made in Ilsan Lake Park, a landmark of the city. The ‘Flower Book Café,’ realized through the renovation of an aging flower exhibition center, will be launched, with a rooftop observatory and rest area to be constructed this year.

Also, as the number of pet owners in the city has been steadily increasing, a playground for pets has been established. The pet playground includes a management office, covered shelters, parasols and benches for the convenience of both pets and owners.

On a final note, the Goyang city government aims to construct the 3rd exhibition hall of KINTEX by 2024 with a budget of KRW 493 billion. Tourism infrastructure near KINTEX will also be improved with the development of new hotels, techo valleys and a high-speed train connection to Seoul (GTX).