Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "Core Values of Special City Suwon in Eighth Popular Election Term are 'Change, Transformation, and Empathy'"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated that "the core values of 'New Suwon' in the eighth popular election term are 'change,' 'transformation,' and 'empathy.'"

At the '2023 Suwon City Administrative Opening Ceremony' held at the SK Atrium Grand Concert Hall on the 2nd, Mayor Lee said in his New Year's address, "2023 is the first year for Suwon City administration of the eighth popular election term to get on the right track," adding "we will change anew, transform innovatively, and empathize more with our citizens."

As policies for 'new change,' he presented △attracting enterprises △expanding sales channels for social economy enterprises △comprehensive Suwon-style integrated care △creating a city where single-person households can live with peace of mind △transforming the city into one where young people want to live and other measures.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "We will secure customized sites so that large corporations and cutting-edge companies can establish themselves in Suwon, and establish a 1 billion won-scale 'Suwon Angel Fund' to support startups, venture companies, and small and medium enterprises," adding "we will strengthen cooperation for the construction of 'Gyeonggi International Airport' and the designation of 'Economic Free Zone' to create momentum for new industries, and will show the outline of the 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' in the second half of this year."

As projects to achieve 'innovative transformation,' he presented △realizing balanced development in all directions through district unit plans for Jangan District, Gosaek 2 District, Mangpo 4 District, and Daeyupeong District △renovating aging complexes in newly designated urban regeneration activation areas and activating alley commerce △transitioning to proactive disaster and safety response systems and fostering 'Citizen Safety Guardians.'

Furthermore, for 'empathy with citizens' policies, he presented 'establishment of innovation integrated civil service office,' 'Everyone Mayor Platform construction,' 'palm-sized garden creation,' 'establishment of dedicated organization for pet-owning families,' and others.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun promised, "I will commit sincerely to 'change,' 'transformation,' and 'empathy' toward new Suwon," and "I will lay the foundation for growth and leap forward together with the great citizens."

The following is the full text of the New Year's address.

Dear 1.25 Million Suwon Special City Citizens,

A bright new year has risen despite tumultuous times.

For some, last year 2022 may have been regrettable, and for others, it was a happy year.

I hope good times are remembered as memories and bad times as experiences.

For me, 2022 was the most inspiring year of my life.

I have held dear in my heart each and every citizen who extended generous encouragement, support, and solidarity.

And it was a thrilling time drawing the future of 'New Suwon.'

It is all thanks to our citizens and public officials. I offer my sincere gratitude.

Esteemed Suwon Special City citizens and public officials.

While it should be a time full of hope and excitement, my heart is heavy.

This is because the dark clouds hanging over the economy and environment both at home and abroad are too thick.

Rising raw material prices and slowing exports led to the largest trade deficit on record last year, and high interest rates have frozen the real estate market despite deregulation.

Moreover, high inflation, the lowest birth rate, and economic growth prospects are all bleak.

Even in this stagnation, we must find opportunities and bring about change.

Like the saying 'a wise rabbit digs three burrows,' we must go beyond coping with immediate crises and open the door to a new era.

Today, I wish to reflect once more on the aspirations and commitments of our citizens.

This is to recall the stern mandate of the citizens and to lay stepping stones befitting the direction Suwon must take anew in the changing times.

Last October, I announced the vision and policies for the eighth popular election term.

Do you remember the three major goals?

'Robust economy,' 'clean living,' and 'warm care.'

And I additionally promised 'innovative administration' and 'communication with citizens.'

I hope that all policies and projects to 'renew Suwon and shine citizens' will be a starting point for better citizens' lives.

2023 is an important first year for Suwon Special City administration of the eighth popular election term to get on the right track.

The core values of 'New Suwon' that will steadfastly carry forward the vision and policy projects created with citizens are 'change,' 'transformation,' and 'empathy.'

First, we will 'change' anew.

The driving force of 'Future Suwon' is attracting enterprises and creating a virtuous cycle in the local economy.

We will secure customized sites so that large corporations and cutting-edge companies can establish themselves.

We will revise the ordinance on promotion of corporate investment attraction to clarify support grounds.

We will establish a 1 billion won 'Suwon Angel Fund' to support startups, venture companies, and small and medium enterprises.

We will broaden sales channels for social economy enterprises and change public institution contracting systems.

We will strengthen cooperation for the construction of 'Gyeonggi International Airport' and the designation of 'Economic Free Zone,' and in the second half of this year will present the outline of the 'Suwon R&D; Science Park.'

We will also open a new chapter in local food through urban agriculture, including the Suwon Agricultural and Fishery Wholesale Market, which completed facility modernization last year, and the Tapdong Citizens Farm.

We will also implement changes to the care system step by step.

We will increase 'welfare that comes to you' rather than requiring citizens to find it and apply.

Through 'Suwon-style integrated care' that is dense—from proactive identification of service gaps to linking service provision and follow-up management—we will expand support targets and services.

Additionally, we will support the approximately one-third of Suwon's population that are 'single-person households' to live without being left behind, healthily, and safely from crime.

We cannot overlook the transformation into a city where young people want to live.

We will gradually supply 5,000 customized housing units for young people and newlyweds.

We will expand 'ShareHouse CON'(providing full support for security deposits and rental fees to young people under 29 without homes who are leaving or scheduled to leave child welfare facilities; residents bear only management fees and utilities; linked with employment and startup agencies; emotional support), where young people dreaming of independence can live by paying only management fees and utilities, and will continue to support the 'Youth Card(providing transportation cards with 300,000 won charged for job-seeking youth from households earning up to 120% of median income)' and 'Youth Wings(service providing free professional interview attire rental for job-seeking youth, up to 3 times per person per year)’.

In this way, I will create Suwon Special City as a city of change together with you.

Second, we will 'transform' innovatively.

We will transform to sustainable urban planning that looks to the future.

First, we will incorporate Suwon's future into the '2040 Suwon Urban Master Plan.'

Through district unit plans for Jangan District, Gosaek 2 District, Mangpo 4 District, and Daeyupeong District, we will secure infrastructure and achieve balanced development in all directions.

We will shorten the period for public-led renovation, reconstruction, and alley-house maintenance projects and operate a pre-support system.

Locally-specialized urban regeneration projects will change citizens' quality of life.

We will renovate aging complexes in Seodun-dong, Jowon 1-dong, and Pajang-dong, which were selected as new urban regeneration activation areas, and invigorate alley commerce.

Furthermore, we will open a call for housing environment improvement projects and provide 100 million won per alley.

We also need transformation to a more convenient and efficient urban transit system.

Together with the extension of the Shinbundang Line between Gwanggyo and Homaesl, the commencement of construction on the GTX-C corridor, and the double-track railway construction of the Dongtan-Indeogwon Line, we will join hands with neighboring cities for the extension of Seoul Metro Line 3.

Technology for people and the environment is a catalyst for transforming to a future city.

The demand-responsive mobility((Demand Responsive Transit: a transit service that operates without fixed routes or schedules through passenger requests and advance reservations; a form combining advantages of taxis and buses, to be operated with 11-seat minivans)service that began last year in the Gwanggyo New City area will

expand to the Deltaplex area this year and later to the Dangsu-dong area.

We will establish AI-based smart intersections to operate groundbreaking traffic signal systems, improve IoT traffic information, and transform into safer public transit services.

We will also create a 'Smart Suwon Innovation Hub' to serve as a testbed for innovative technology.

The October 29th tragedy left us with the task of transforming the social safety net.

Along with transformation to a proactive disaster and safety response system and fostering 'Citizen Safety Guardians,' we will conduct on-site training by disaster type with citizens.

In this way, I will create Suwon Special City as a city of transformation together with you.

Third, we will 'empathize' more with citizens.

The foundation of my administrative philosophy is thinking from the perspective of citizens, who are the protagonists of city administration.

At the 'Field Mayor's Office,' which has already begun operations, we are finding solutions together with citizens.

We will establish an 'Innovation Integrated Civil Service Office' to set standards for citizen-centered civil service administration and build a 'Everyone Mayor' platform to realize direct democracy.

Carbon neutrality responding to the climate crisis is a task for all humankind.

Beyond system transformation, the practice and oversight of all members of society are necessary.

While fulfilling Suwon City's role through green city creation, expanded supply of environmentally-friendly vehicles, expansion of electric and hydrogen charging stations, and trial operation of intensive resource circulation facilities, we will broaden consensus where each and every citizen can participate.

Consensus is also required in areas where all citizens can enjoy daily life.

We will fill spaces for history, education, culture, tourism, sports, and various forms of recreation with empathy and communication.

Drawing on the living spirit of King Jeongjo and precious cultural values as assets, we will not only construct more diverse tourism services but also elevate the quality of festivals.

With the motto of 'festival every day, performance venue everywhere, anyone a teacher, always a school,' we will provide learning opportunities where experts and citizens become mentors and mentees.

Befitting a sports-centered city, we will attract and host national and international level competitions, and will make efforts in establishing and maintaining sports infrastructure for healthy communication.

Life with rest makes daily life shine.

We will create 400 'palm-sized gardens' that can be encountered within a 5-minute walk and will develop the Ilwol and Younghung Arboretums as citizen-participatory gardens.

We will also transform 30 urban parks into healing spaces.

We will establish a dedicated organization for pet-owning families and will also address welfare policies.

In this way, I will create Suwon Special City as a city of empathy together with you.

Dear Suwon Special City citizens and public officials.

Recently, we had the World Cup. We stayed up at night and cheered as one.

Our South Korean national football team, which advanced to the Round of 16, brought deep emotion with each match and showed greater progress and hope.

"Everything starts with the basics."

This is the resonance of the father who made player Son Heung-min a world-class talent.

What we need right now is also an attitude faithful to the basics.

And on this foundation, we must find the opportunity hidden within crisis.

Suwon City will remain faithful to the basics and maintain confidence.

We will commit sincerely to 'change,' 'transformation,' and 'empathy' toward new Suwon.

We will lay the foundation for growth and leap forward together with the great citizens.

When Suwon does it, it becomes the standard for Korea. Let us all grow together.

This year, Suwon City's New Year theme is 'Establishing New Order for the People's Peace' (新定安民).

It carries the pure aspiration of 'New Suwon, Comfortable Citizens' with the meaning 'When the world is newly established, people find contentment.'

The Year of the Black Rabbit (Gyemyo year). Like the rabbit that leaps over obstacles with strong hind legs, let us all move forward powerfully and wisely! Renew Suwon! Shine the citizens!

Let us greet a hopeful new year. Wishing you blessings in the new year!