Designated as a free economic zone in April 2008, the Hanjung District encompassing the 1,063,000-square-meter land area in Poseung-eup, Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province was to be developed by 2020 together with adjacent Hyeondeok and Poseung districts. As development projects were delayed for years because of the economic downturn, however, local residents have increased their demand for rescinding the FEZ designation. The latest decision included the lifting of another free economic zone designation in Gunsan (Gunsan No. 2 National Industrial Zone within the Saemangeum-Gunsan FEZ).

 

On the same day, the Free Economic Zone Management Committee approved a proposal to open a Songdo campus for George Mason University. The campus will begin accepting students from March next year. This is the second occasion for the Songdo Free Economic Zone to host a foreign university following the opening of the New York State University Songdo campus in March this year. The campus admitted 30 students for the Spring semester and is set to accept an additional batch of 70 new students in September.