Illustration of the development of the former site of the ROK Army’s 2nd Operational Command in downtown Daegu. Provided by Daegu City.
Cultivation of a medical cluster, international finance, education specialization, and advanced industry city
Daegu = Reporter Park Cheon-hak
The former sites of five military bases in downtown Daegu are set to be transformed into new growth hubs to lead Daegu’s future for the next 100 years.
On the 19th, Daegu City announced its development plan for the former sites of military bases, such as the 2nd Operational Command, the 5th Logistics Support Command, the Air Defense Artillery School, the 1st Missile Brigade, and the 50th Infantry Division, which are confirmed to relocate to Gunwi County.
The development will focus on high-value-added future industries like advanced technology, healthcare, education, and international finance. The plans are tailored to reflect the unique characteristics of each site to enhance practicality, spread development in surrounding areas, and drive future growth in Daegu.
Firstly, the site in Manchon-dong, Suseong-gu, where the 2nd Operational Command is located, is planned to be transformed into a world-class hospital-centered comprehensive medical cluster. The city intends to establish this cluster as a national project, integrating companies and research facilities related to the health field with Kyungpook National University Hospital and the university’s medical, dental, and nursing schools. The goal is to attract global healthcare and research institutions.
The site of the 5th Logistics Support Command will be redeveloped into an international finance city in connection with the redevelopment of the K-2 airport. The city plans to align this with the global hub city New K-2, supporting a financial services industry based on advanced information technology linked with Suseong Alpha City.
Additionally, the former site of the Air Defense Artillery School and the 1st Missile Brigade will be transformed into a city centered on futuristic international education, while the site of the 50th Infantry Division will be developed into a hub for advanced industries, linked with the new Daegu-Gyeongbuk Airport.
The city plans to start negotiations for relocation with the Ministry of National Defense in the second half of this year, aiming to sign a Memorandum of Understanding by the first half of next year. Completion of the relocation of the military bases is targeted by 2030, and the development of the former sites is expected to be finished between 2031 and 2033. Upon realization of this development project, the city forecasts an economic ripple effect of approximately 1.95 trillion won, an added value creation effect of 823.8 billion won, and employment creation for 13,407 people.
Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, stated, “These sites will be developed into new growth drivers to lead Daegu into the next 100 years,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure that Daegu takes a leap beyond becoming a global city.”