New Year's Address Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je

Respected citizens of Uiwang City numbering 160,000, and public officials and their families.

The year 2024, the Year of the Dragon in the lunar calendar, has dawned.

Since ancient times, the blue dragon has symbolized "fortune," "success," and "prosperity."

I sincerely hope the vigorous energy of the blue dragon permeates the daily lives of all.

Today, I have opened the doors of City Hall with a renewed spirit.

On my first commute of the new year, I took a packed bus and met with citizens.

The faces of citizens heading out on their first day of work showed relentless hardship.

I have reaffirmed in my heart that the honest labor of each and every person is the strength that sustains Uiwang.

Thanks to the citizens who have lent their hearts, Uiwang City has achieved meaningful results over the past year.

We have taken the first full-fledged steps of the eighth civil administration's policies and projects.

Recently, we have attracted a cumulative five companies, including BioNote, and the "Suwon Venture Bright Fund," which will serve as a growth lever for enterprises, has accumulated over 250 billion won.

We opened "Saebbit Civil Service Center," a civil complaint resolution hub, and "Saebbit Talk Talk," a direct democracy platform, and launched a pilot program for "Suwon Saebbit Care."

Ilwol and Yeonghung Arboretums have established themselves as ecological landmarks in the city upon opening, and the 60th "Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival," the 10th anniversary "Eco-Mobility Suwon New Festa," and various other festivals, as well as major international events such as the "Asia-Pacific Cities Forum," have all been held successfully.

These are precious experiences drawing closer to our vision of "renewing Suwon and brightening citizens," and they are valuable fruits jointly created by all citizens and public officials.

I offer sincere gratitude.

This year too, conditions surrounding us remain challenging.

Continuing wars and unstable domestic and international situations, coupled with the so-called "triple crisis"—high interest rates, high inflation, and high exchange rates—have exhausted many citizens. The city's financial reserves are also not adequate.

However, the more difficult times become, the more we must look toward the future.

Just as the saying goes, "turning hardship into benefit," Uiwang City and all public officials will create new innovation through a paradigm shift that transforms crises into opportunities.

If 2023 was the year we laid the foundation for the eighth civil administration and began new policies, 2024 will be the year Uiwang City brings about "better changes in citizens' lives."

First, we will achieve economic growth that citizens can feel.

In 2024, the "Suwon Venture Bright Fund" will launch at three times its previous scale.

By last year, 258.8 billion won had been accumulated in five funds. This reaches 2.5 times our target.

Additionally, it is expected that over 300 billion won will be accumulated this year.

Funding of 73 billion won has been allocated to "materials, parts, and equipment," 33.8 billion won to "biotechnology," 60 billion won to the "Fourth Industrial Revolution," and 42 billion won to "re-leap," with an additional 50 billion won for "early-stage startups" to be finalized this month.

We will create opportunities for startups, ventures, and SMEs with excellent technological capabilities to grow, and ensure that investment of 50 billion won or more is directed to Suwon enterprises.

This will enable the creation of over 2,000 jobs.

The "Suwon SME Partnership Support" project will invest 300 billion won.

Suwon City, banks, and three guarantee agencies have joined forces to ease the loan burdens of small and medium enterprises facing difficulties due to high interest rates and economic slowdown.

By providing loans of up to 500 million won per company at low interest rates and guarantee fees, we will reduce interest burdens to approximately one-third of general credit loans.

The complex cultural space "Starfield" will employ 3,000 Suwon citizens.

Along with job creation, this will bring new commercial and cultural innovation and economic vitality to Suwon, meeting the demand of 5 million residents in nearby cities including our city.

As citizens have shown great interest, we will operate an on-site traffic task force to minimize traffic congestion and inconvenience to citizens.

Attracting companies and investment is the first policy of the eighth civil administration.

To date, we have concluded company attraction agreements with five firms: "SDi Biosensor," "Fourxis H&S," "Integris," "Woo Electronics," and "BioNote."

We will ensure that leading companies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution sector take deeper root in Suwon.

We will create a "virtuous business ecosystem" where local communities and enterprises grow together and attract talent to quality jobs.

Second, we will revitalize the alleyway economy through the "Three Major Alley New Deal."

If the "local economy" is the locomotive driving Suwon, the "alleyway economy" is the pillar supporting citizens' lives.

From January, "Suwon Saebbit Care" will expand to all 44 districts.

Every Suwon citizen can enjoy "Suwon Saebbit Care."

From household cleaning and other household activities to accompanying citizens to hospitals, marts, and public facilities, as well as psychological counseling and pet protection, "Saebbit Care" takes responsibility.

Village communities will take the lead in reaching out to neglected neighbors in need of care.

Upon application alone, "care planners" will visit homes to provide integrated welfare services.

Households with incomes below 75 percent of the median will receive annual care support of one million won, and households above 75 percent can also use the service by paying the designated fee.

As care services expand, the care industry grows and care-related jobs are created.

The "Saebbit House" home repair project will be launched in full force.

Low-rise villas and multi-unit residences deteriorated for over 20 years—how inconvenient life has been there.

Suwon City began a home repair project for low-rise residential areas last year.

We replaced leaky roofs with mold, window frames letting in cold wind, and creaking gates.

Citizens' residential environments become warmer, and businesses throughout alleys gain new work opportunities.

We will pursue the goal of 500 homes annually, totaling over 2,000 homes over four years.

Palm-sized gardens revive communities and bring vitality to alleys.

"When people gathered, a village market opened and the neighborhood became vibrant."

These are the words of a citizen managing a "palm garden" in Haengung-dong.

Seemingly useless spaces are being filled with special gardens.

Over the past year and more, 300 palm gardens have been created by citizens' hands in empty spaces, leftover land, and gaps between buildings throughout the city.

Residents are taking the lead, and companies and organizations are also lending their support.

Communication and solidarity expand, and with improved environments, commercial activity is revitalized.

Communities and local economies will be revived as much as the number of gardens increases.

Through the alley new deal project, we will actively foster village enterprises and realize greater social values by spreading social economy and fair trade, allowing Suwon to truly become an economic special city.

"Everyone's 1-Minute City" is beginning.

Everyone's 1-Minute City is a "smart urban village" combining living SOC and employment.

Living SOC such as palm gardens in front of homes, rest and exercise facilities, cultural spaces, and PM charging stations will be created, and services such as Suwon Saebbit Care and Saebbit House home repair will be provided.

New jobs will be created through related village enterprises and social enterprises.

"Everyone's 1-Minute City" will become a symbol of Suwon's alley new deal.

Third, new Uiwang opens through urban innovation.

At the end of last year, there were two pieces of news like timely rain leading urban innovation.

Breathing room opens for areas surrounding Hwaseong Fortress, which had long been restricted in development.

Regulations on areas surrounding Hwaseong Fortress, which had been restricted as historical and cultural environment preservation zones for the past 15 years, have been eased.

Development is now possible between 200 and 500 meters outside the fortress boundary, and buildings can be raised by approximately one floor within 200 meters.

Citizens can now exercise their legitimate property rights through redevelopment and reconstruction.

We will provide a harmonious solution balancing the value of a world cultural heritage with citizens' property rights.

The other is opening the floodgates for long-standing projects in western Uiwang.

The "Uiwang R&D Science Park" project, which had been stalled for 10 years, has gotten back on track through an MOU with Sungkyunkwan University.

The Science Park, which will emerge as a research-intensive facility for energy, biotechnology, semiconductors, and more, will work together with the "Tapdong Innovation Valley" (scheduled for completion in 2026) to bring vitality to the local economy, secure future sources of income for Uiwang, and drive balanced growth in Uiwang.

Just as we have steadily resolved citizens' long-standing projects, we will proceed without delay on improvement projects for aging waste-to-energy facilities and the relocation of waste-to-energy facilities confirmed through citizen public deliberation.

Suwon, a transportation hub with roads connecting in all directions, will expand further with the metropolitan railway network.

The "Shin Bundang Line," connecting Gwanggyo to Homaesilnot, the "Dongtan-Indeokwon Line," departing from Dongtan and connecting Youngtong Station and North Suwon, and the "GTX-C" line, the metropolitan express railway, will be completed in 2028.

The "Dongtan Urban Railway," which will extend to Mangpo Station, is scheduled to open in 2027.

Additionally, KTX departing from Suwon Station, beyond the Gyeongbu Line, will add the Honam Line route to enable 18 compositions per day starting in 2025, and we are accelerating efforts.

We will also expedite the extension of Seoul Metro Line 3 together with nearby cities.

The construction of Gyeonggi International Airport will transform Uiwang's paradigm.

The long-standing aspiration of citizens for "military airport relocation" can be delayed no longer.

In line with this, "Gyeonggi International Airport construction" and "Western Uiwang Economic Free Zone designation" are excellent opportunities to advance Uiwang's future urban innovation.

Respected 1.25 million citizens of Suwon Special Exceptional City and public officials of Suwon!

The new year 2024, the Year of the Dragon, has dawned.

In the new year, I hope all will soar to great heights, deeply receiving the energy of the blue dragon.

Over the past year, despite difficult domestic and international circumstances, our city has moved forward with vigor to create a vibrant green Suwon together with citizens.

I offer deep gratitude to all citizens who have provided generous support and cooperation for the advancement of city administration, and to all public officials who have done their best in their respective duties.

Respected citizens and public officials!

This year, as last year, uncertain international situations and domestic economic difficulties are anticipated, but we must all work together to turn crisis into opportunity.

As we pledge to make 2024 a year of re-leap for Suwon to become a central city in the metropolitan region, I will briefly outline the direction of city administration for this year.

First, we will pursue nature-friendly urban development suited to local characteristics.

We will actively support the smooth and timely implementation of five urban development projects being pursued by LH.

Gocheon Happiness Town and Chopyeong Newlywed Hope Town are within completion this year, and Worlam and Cheonggyesan 2 public housing districts are planned for completion by 2026.

The Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan public housing district will be pursued as planned through a cooperation framework with LH, and when the project is completed around 2030, Uiwang is expected to stand tall as a metropolitan central city with 250,000 residents.

We will actively support the smooth implementation of eight ongoing redevelopment projects and two reconstruction projects, and plan to improve the residential environment of aging houses in the Naeson 2-dong area, which was selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's urban regeneration project.

In the Wanggok-dong area, we will develop a complex town including approximately 5,000 households of eco-friendly residential units and medical and biotechnology complexes, laying the groundwork for a self-sufficient city like Pangyo Techno Valley.

The Omaegg District urban development project will also formally proceed with administrative procedures, and along with stable housing supply for approximately 3,000 households, we will create sports parks and sports centers for citizen convenience and pursue long-standing community projects including remodeling of the Uiwang Cultural Center.

The Gocheon and Ojeon industrial areas will be developed as smart cities in connection with station-area development. The smart city solution project selected in last year's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport competition will be completed by year-end to establish the foundation for a sustainable advanced self-sufficient city.

The former Korea Electric Power Corporation site will be pursued as an urban development project through active coordination with KEPCO.

The Naeson-dong reserve forces training ground will be reorganized as a resident-friendly urban space through facility relocation projects.

Additionally, we will promptly complete the indoor electrical work at the Naeson-dong high-voltage transformer substation and underground high-voltage transmission towers to improve residents' living environment.

Second, we will create a city full of jobs and vitality.

We will provide employment opportunities and startup consulting to women experiencing career interruptions or those preparing to start businesses, and create more jobs by hosting a JOB Festival and actively attracting new enterprises.

Additionally, to revitalize the local economy, we will develop Boogok Dokkaebi Market into an urban tourism-style market linked with local tourism resources, create specialty streets at Cheonggyemasseun Forest Food Village, and revitalize local alley commerce through Galmi Mart environment improvement projects.

In Poil-dong, we will develop a new industrial complex to attract medical, biotechnology, and IT-related companies, cultivating it as an advanced industrial belt connecting Gwacheon and Pangyo.

Furthermore, we will promptly establish the Uiwang Industrial Promotion Center to comprehensively and systematically support small and medium enterprises.

Third, we will improve citizens' transportation convenience.

The Gocheon Cultural Park public parking lot and Ojeon-dong public parking lot, which are being constructed to address insufficient parking infrastructure, are planned to be completed by the first half of 2025.

We concluded a business implementation agreement with LH last year for Baekun Road expansion, a chronic congestion section during commute times, and are currently proceeding with detailed design and administrative procedures.

Additionally, we will install a new access ramp toward Suwon at Cheonggyesan IC and ease traffic by expanding Uiwil Road 2 and opening a road between Ojeon and Cheonggyesan, improving citizens' mobility.

We will also improve vehicle traffic speed through real-time signal control using intelligent smart intersections.

The Indeokwon-Dongtan Line and Wolgot-Pangyo Line, the greatest long-standing projects of Uiwang citizens, are scheduled to begin construction sequentially in the first half of this year once administrative procedures including implementation plan approval are completed.

The Uiwang Station stop on the GTX-C route is scheduled to begin construction in early this year, and we plan to attract a multimodal transit center to Uiwang Station to transform it into a transportation hub encompassing transportation, commerce, and business.

For the extension of the Wiryeae-Gwacheon Line to Uiwang City, we will make active efforts to have it reflected in the 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan by 2026.

Fourth, we will leap forward as a leading education excellence city at the national level.

We will actively support the smooth establishment of the Naeson Integrated Middle and High School Future School scheduled to open in March 2025, and the Baekun Lake Integrated Elementary and Middle School, which is pursuing establishment targeting March 2026 opening, will proceed with design after undergoing Gyeonggi Province's own investment review next month.

The "Uiwang Future Education Center" scheduled to be established in Naeson-dong will be developed as a core hub for future education supporting youth's dreams and hopes, including experiences with Fourth Industrial Revolution-related technologies.

We will make active efforts to realize the establishment of an independent Uiwang Office of Education, which has elicited strong citizen support through last year's signature campaign.

We plan to create mathematics clinic centers at the Ojeon Community Center and other locations to support personalized tutoring and counseling so students can approach mathematics more familiarly.

Additionally, we will establish a digital-based high school online learning facility by the second half of this year to prepare for the rapidly changing educational environment.

We will establish the "Uiwang City Library Mid- and Long-term Development Plan" in the first half of this year to establish a new vision for libraries,

and will continuously expand small libraries to provide an environment where citizens can easily access books near their homes.

Fifth, we will create a culture, sports, and welfare city where every citizen feels happiness.

The Culture and Arts Hall, which will be created as a high-level cultural and arts space for citizens, is scheduled to begin construction this month and be completed by December 2025.

The Railroad Corporation Talent Development Center artificial turf project is scheduled to be completed by the first half of this year, and we will create barefoot walking paths as health and healing spaces for citizens in each district.

By the end of this year, Baekun Lake Park will have various leisure and sports facilities including grass plazas, waterside performance venues, wildflower gardens, soccer fields, and par-3 golf courses.

Meanwhile, we will transform Wangsong Lake Park into a distinctive lake park combining rest and tourism in connection with third New Town projects.

Going forward, we will continuously improve park facilities and scenery, and pursue the expansion of Baraisan Forest Leisure Resort to respond to growing demand for forest recreation.

Senior employment will expand to 3,000 positions this year to ensure stable retirement income security and social activity support.

The Disabled Healing Shelter opened last year will be activated as a precious venue for disabled persons' leisure culture and education.

In the first half of this year, we plan to establish short-term care facilities for disabled families when urgent care is needed and designate them as 365 shelters to operate.

Sixth, we will create a safe urban environment for citizens.

Building on the foundation of being selected as an excellent agency in the disaster management evaluation led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, we will continue to make efforts to create an increasingly safe urban environment for citizens.

The aged Boogok Bridge and Seongyyo Bridge, which have existed for 40 years, will be reconstructed to secure a safe and convenient road environment.

Additionally, we will operate an "Architectural Safety Center" composed of architecture and structure specialists to provide technical support for building administration and strengthen safety inspections at construction sites during vulnerable periods.

We will support the installation of flood prevention facilities in houses and small shops and factories with flooding concerns, and thoroughly prevent disasters and accidents through maintenance of small streams including Tongmi Stream and Geumcheon Stream.

We will maintain aged drainage and water supply pipes, and support water pipe improvement costs for 20-year-old or older houses experiencing discoloration issues, providing citizens with clean tap water.

We will complete separate storm and sanitary sewage work in the Samdong area to lead improvements in regional living environment and water quality in Wangsong Lake.

Finally, we will practice open administration that continuously communicates with citizens.

We will create the Boogok Community Center within the Jangan District, which includes child-related facilities and resident convenience facilities, to improve quality of life for area residents and actively support community activities.

Through visiting mayor's office and mobile head district office services, we will directly communicate with citizens at the field and exchange opinions, and will communicate more actively with citizens through official SNS channels, homepages, YouTube, and various new media.

Beloved citizens and public officials!

We now stand again at the starting line of new hope in 2024.

The new year will be an important period for Uiwang to leap one step further toward becoming a central city in the metropolitan region.

Although there will be many challenges and difficulties ahead, if you continue to stand with us as you have, we can overcome any hardship.

As we welcome the new year 2024, I ask for your strong support and participation in our forward steps.

As mayor, I will do my utmost with approximately one thousand Uiwang public officials to ensure Uiwang becomes a premium city most pleasant to live in throughout the nation.

I sincerely wish that in the new year of 2024, all your aspirations come true and your homes are filled with health and happiness.

Wishing you a happy new year.

January 2, 2024

Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je