Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun: "I Will Create a Distinctive Special Self-Governing City"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun stated, "In the era of one million citizens, I will create a special self-governing city worthy of its designation."

Mayor Jeong expressed this at a policy briefing marking his first anniversary in office on the 4th, explaining his reflections on the past year and the major policy directions for Hwaseong City going forward.

At this occasion, Mayor Jeong identified the core keywords for his second year in office as 'Balanced Development,' 'Communication,' and 'Distinctive Special Self-Governing City.'

Mayor Jeong presented 'urban balanced development' as the most important task for Hwaseong City and explained a master plan for development by dividing the living zones into four regions (east, west, south, and central).

First, the eastern living zone will focus on △creating natural-friendly urban environments through establishing advanced industrial hubs and expanding green spaces such as a botanic garden; the western living zone will △strengthen urban functions through research industry and administrative roles, and △foster tourism industry specializing in marine and leisure tourism to secure functions.

The southern living zone will △establish local industry clusters by connecting automotive, bio, and pharmaceutical industries, and △create a foundation for balanced development in non-urban areas through expanding underdeveloped regional infrastructure. The central living zone will △nurture new regional centers through third-phase new cities and revitalization of the original downtown, and △discover new growth engines by connecting regional transportation facilities such as railways and multimodal transportation centers, thereby completing the framework for urban balanced development.

Mayor Jeong stated that 'Communication' is the foundation of citizen-centered administration, saying, "I will always communicate with citizens at the site and think about their concerns while actively addressing issues such as residential inconveniences." Mayor Jeong plans to continue citizen-oriented communication administration this year, just as last year, through 'Mobile Mayor's Office,' 'Eup-Myeon-Dong Social Organization Consultative Meetings,' and 'City Policy Briefings.'

Hwaseong City is expected to reach a population of one million as early as October this year. Mayor Jeong emphasized that he would focus on efforts to create a distinctive special self-governing city that can become a source of pride for Hwaseong citizens, and pledged to establish four district offices within his term to support large-city administrative needs.

He further explained that through the Hwaseong City Research Institute, which opens on the 21st of this month, the city will discover policy development directions and customized projects befitting a one-million special self-governing city to prepare for Hwaseong's future.

In welcoming the era of one-million Hwaseong citizens, the city launched the 'Balanced Development Committee,' an advisory body, in March, and established the 'Citizen-Centered One-Million Special Self-Governing City Preparatory Committee' on June 28, laying the groundwork for systematic promotion of balanced development policies.

Mayor Jeong also placed emphasis on 'People's Livelihoods and Great Transformation' and stated that he would continue to make efforts to improve citizens' lives through △constructing transportation infrastructure, △establishing sustainable economic foundations, △stabilizing people's livelihoods, △strengthening welfare policies, △creating a culture, sports, and tourism city, and △preparing for digital transformation.

Furthermore, Mayor Jeong emphasized the importance of the media's role, saying, "When you sometimes offer pointed feedback and constructive criticism combined with affection, and future-oriented alternatives, we will gain great momentum in completing good policies for Hwaseong citizens," urging efforts in conveying accurate information.