Pyeongtaek City's Urban Brand Reputation Surging

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] In the Korea Enterprise Reputation Research Institute's August 2022 reputation survey of local governments, Pyeongtaek City's urban brand reputation ranked 5th nationwide. This marks a sharp 14-step rise from 19th place in August of the previous year.

According to the announcement from the Korea Enterprise Reputation Research Institute on the 23rd, South Korea's city brand reputation index is derived by summing up sector-specific indices including participation index, media index, communication index, and community index.

Pyeongtaek City's brand showed a participation index of 78,537, media index of 358,801, communication index of 412,858, and community index of 497,561, resulting in a brand reputation index of 1,347,757.

The background to Pyeongtaek's sharp rise is interpreted as the result of steady urban growth including fostering future industries such as semiconductors and hydrogen, and balanced regional development.

According to last year's census, Pyeongtaek City's population reached 572,000, recording the highest population growth rate nationwide and transforming into a major city with the 15th largest population in the nation, advancing toward the status of a 1-million special city.

External perceptions have also become increasingly positive. Through Pyeongtaek-Osan Air Base, the Samsung Electronics Pyeongtaek Campus was introduced to the world during visits by current and former U.S. presidents, and in May, Pyeongtaek, the first destination of U.S. President Biden's visit, emerged as a symbol of the Korea-U.S. semiconductor alliance.

Meanwhile, the city brand analysis covers city-level administrative divisions in South Korea. This survey covered 85 city-level local governments, with Jeju, Busan, Daegu, and Goyang City ranking 1st through 4th.

Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon stated, "I will do my best to actively communicate with citizens and continue positive evaluations so that this upward trend can be sustained."