Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun: "I Will Actively Respond to Expand Authority Befitting a Special Metropolitan City"

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Lee Su-won] Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun announced, "I will work to make Hwaseong a true special metropolitan city befitting its status."

On the 22nd, marking his 700th day in office, Mayor Jeong held a "Dialogue with Journalists" at the City Hall Conference Room with approximately 150 journalists in attendance. He stated, "Currently, there is virtually no authority affecting citizens' daily lives, and there are no financial exceptions to address the increased administrative demands," and added, "We will actively respond to expand administrative and fiscal authority through special legislation in cooperation with the four special metropolitan cities."

During the "Dialogue with Journalists" conducted in an open discussion format, Mayor Jeong responded to a question about establishing general districts, saying, "Hwaseong's area is 1.4 times larger than Seoul and has distinct regional characteristics. As the only city among major metropolitan areas with a population of one million that lacks a district office, we will properly coordinate residents' opinions and go through deliberation processes promptly to establish a rational plan. We will apply to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to establish four general districts within this year."

Regarding investment attraction, he stated, "Businesses contribute 70 percent of tax revenues, so Hwaseong's fiscal income essentially depends on companies," and added, "We will host a large-scale investment attraction briefing in Seoul in June and pursue the recruitment of excellent businesses to achieve 20 trillion won in investment during my remaining term."

Mayor Jeong emphasized, "A city that is good for childbearing and child-rearing is the most competitive city, and I will make Hwaseong such a city. In what can be called a national emergency of ultra-low birth rates, Hwaseong ranked first nationwide in the number of newborns as of 2023. However, we will not stop at expanding childbirth support benefits and targets, but will pursue more bold and effective policies to encourage births."