"Reasons are aplenty for biopharmaceutical companies to invest in Uijeongbu. For instance, the city's proximity to Seoul makes it easy to attract high-quality human resources, the presence of university hospitals nearby facilitates the conduct of clinical trials, and the ability to purchase large parcels of land at appraised value provides high long-term investment value."

During a recent news conference at Uijeongbu City Hall, Mayor Kim Dong-geun spoke about the city's strengths as an optimal location for a bio-cluster.

Uijeongbu, just north of Seoul, pushes to create a bio cluster at Camp Kyle, a former U.S. military base, a 132,108-square-meter land with two university hospitals -- Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center and the Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital) within a 1.5-kilometer radius.

Uijeongbu aims to attract 300 companies and research centers. Kim explained that its strategy is to build a research complex and an industrial complex to foster a cluster that enables research and production.

Considering the site of the 5th Military Command scheduled to withdraw, the Uijeongbu Bio Cluster can grow to become a large-scale cluster, he added.

Mayor Kim emphasized that Uijeongbu has an advantageous location compared to other pharma and bio clusters in Jecheon, Osong, and Wonju.

"Uijeongbu has a good investment location, but it is not well known," he said. "For example, it takes 40 minutes from Gangnam to Uijeongbu. Most other bio clusters are located outside the Seoul metro region, and residents of Seoul and nearby cities have difficulty commuting to work,” he said.

On the other hand, Uijeongbu is located close to Seoul and is easily accessible via subway and highway. This means attracting high-level workers from Seoul and other cities is easy. In addition, if the cluster is built, the government will consider connecting with nearby universities to supply specialized workers to ensure a smooth supply of manpower. Kim added.

He also pointed out that Camp Kyle is located between university hospitals in Uijeongbu, making it efficient for conducting clinical trials and translational research.

However, Uijeongbu has a strong rival.

Songdo, also located within the Seoul metro region, has established itself as a bio cluster by attracting the production bases of major biotech companies, such as Samsung Bio, Celltrion, and Lotte Bio.

Mayor Kim said, "There are still large biopharma companies considering expanding their research and production facilities because existing ones are outdated. We are already making proposals and discussions with some companies."

In addition, there are various startups and research institutes in Korea. The value of the Uijeongbu Bio Cluster is clear, given the development of the domestic biopharma industry."

Mayor Kim also stressed that the Camp Kyle site is an excellent investment property.

"Our city wants to create a bio cluster to create jobs and attract a workforce," he said. "There is nothing more important for the long-term development of the city. That's why we're offering the Camp Kyle site at appraised value."

Kim noted that as the administrative, transportation, and cultural center of northern Gyeonggi Province, Uijeongbu has much potential for future development. There are also many short- and long-term issues, including GTX and the division of Gyeonggi Province into two, south and north. He added that companies in the bio cluster are investing in Uijeongbu, promising for development.

He also promised to provide administrative and financial support for companies in the Uijeongbu Bio Cluster.

"We will guarantee tangible and intangible administrative support from the initial to the growth stage, and we will also guarantee measures to establish a business foundation and secure manpower, such as location and investment subsidies and employment and education subsidies,” Mayor Kim said.

Uijeongbu will hold a briefing session to attract companies to create a bio cluster at the PPS Hall of the Seoul Public Procurement Service at 3 p.m. next Tuesday. Leading biopharmaceutical companies will likely attend the event. The city will promote the sites targeted for attracting companies, including Camp Kyle, and explain the support and benefits for relocating companies.