Editorial Hopes for Lee Jae-jun, Suwon Special Mayor's 'Great Transformation of Suwon'
First, we congratulate Lee Jae-jun, Suwon Special Mayor, on his inauguration. His inauguration ceremony held at Suwon SK Artium on the afternoon of the 1st was attended by 1,000 guests and citizens, making for a grand event. One could see the citizens' anticipation for the 9th local government administration of Suwon that Mayor Lee will lead. Not only citizens but all five National Assembly members representing Suwon constituencies—Kim Seung-won (Suwon District A), Baek Hye-ryeon (Suwon District B), Kim Young-jin (Suwon District C), Kim Jun-hyeok (Suwon District D), and Yum Tae-young (Suwon District E)—attended to celebrate the Mayor's new beginning.
Mayor Lee touched the hearts of attendees through his inaugural address by sharing stories of his father, who was a laborer, and his mother, who sold vegetables. He pledged to conduct city administration centered on people's livelihoods, saying "the role of local government is to lighten the burden of life that each citizen carries."
He announced that the 9th local government administration will be pursued around three key strategies: 'Great Transformation of Citizens' Lives,' 'Great Transformation of Culture and Tourism,' and 'Great Transformation of Advanced Industry and Urban Space.'
In particular, the promise to vigorously pursue 'half-price living costs' to reduce citizens' living expenses was a policy that resonated with people. The plan includes expanding policies to lower citizen burden focused on sectors with high household expenditure ratios such as transportation, education, and healthcare, while strengthening the 'Saebit Living Cost Package.'
Along with this, a notable policy area is culture and tourism. Mayor Lee understands that culture and tourism are Suwon's future livelihood. He announced plans to create the 'K-Culture Road' connecting Seoul, Suwon, and Hwaseong centered on King Jeongjo's procession to his tomb, to be developed as world-class tourism content. Elevating King Jeongjo's procession to the ranks of a 'global top-3 festival' and operating a 'Suwon Tour Free Bus' connecting major tourist destinations including Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon Convention Center, and the arboretum to activate tourism were also noteworthy plans.
He also stated that through the construction of the Suwon Arena performance venue, the creation of a sports complex, and expansion of accommodation infrastructure, a foundation for a stay-type tourism city will be established and connected to local commercial district revitalization.
Additionally, expansion of lifelong education policies, strengthening of customized welfare by life cycle, K-Silicon Valley for securing future growth engines, and advanced industry development policies such as designation of Suwon Economic Free Zone were also hopeful initiatives.
Based on the foundation for future growth established during the 8th local government administration, attendees gave heartfelt applause to Mayor Lee's words about creating tangible changes for citizens and achieving Suwon's great leap forward. Kim Jun-hyeok, who was his same-party primary rival in the 2022 local elections, said the vision of creating the 'K-Culture Road' extending from Seoul to Suwon by utilizing Suwon's abundant historical and cultural assets was intriguing. "From the initiative to develop Suwon into a center encompassing K-pop, K-drama, and K-food and to create world-class festivals through collaboration with festival experts, I felt strong pride in the cultural city," he said.
We look forward to Mayor Lee Jae-jun's 'Great Transformation of Suwon' being successfully achieved. As he said, Suwon is "a city where tomorrow is more anticipated than today."