Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon: "Will Complete a City Where Citizens Feel Pride"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Lee Su-won] Pyeongtaek City marked the second anniversary of the 8th Popular Elected Term by announcing achievements from the past two years and policy directions for the remaining two years.

Mayor Jung Jang-seon explained the content during a press briefing on the 9th, stating, "Pyeongtaek is growing and developing across all sectors including population, economy, nature, housing, and transportation," and emphasized, "During my remaining term, I will communicate with citizens and work to create a prosperous city so that citizens feel pride simply by living in Pyeongtaek."

The mayor further explained, "Over the past two years, regional industrial competitiveness has been strengthened based on the semiconductor and hydrogen industries, and recently we have also seen achievements in the future vehicle sector, with the regional economy being revitalized centered on future advanced industries."

He added, "Through various land development projects such as Godeok International New City, Brain City, and Hwayangji District, as well as through projects to create Cheongbuk Sky Lake Park and Mosan, Eunsil, and Jisan Green Parks, the city's residential conditions are improving, and with the strengthening of transportation, culture, medical, and welfare infrastructure, the quality of life for citizens is also increasing."

The major policies for the second half of the Popular Elected Term announced by the city are as follows.

First, in the economic sector, the city plans to attract additional corporate investment in its mainstay industries of semiconductors, hydrogen, and future vehicles, as well as to attract related educational and public institutions. Furthermore, it plans to create an environment where the semiconductor, hydrogen, and future vehicle sectors can be interconnected to maximize synergies.

For balanced development, the city will seamlessly establish the Administrative Town, Anjung Branch Office, and Pyeongtaek Station Complex Cultural Plaza, while continuing urban regeneration projects for old city center revitalization and the New Frontier project aimed at western region development.

Additionally, the city announced plans to activate public transportation in all areas through the expansion of railway lines including GTX, KTX, Bubalheon Line, and Seohae Line, as well as through the reorganization of city and metropolitan bus routes.

Regarding the environment, the city announced a more proactive plan to respond to climate crisis. To this end, it will establish a 'Pyeongtaek-style RE100 foundation' using clean hydrogen and expand the distribution of commercial hydrogen and electric cargo vehicles. It will also promote Pyeongtaek Lake designation as a key management reservoir and expand urban forest projects to improve water and air quality.

Efforts to strengthen the education sector will continue. First, the city will seamlessly establish the KAIST Pyeongtaek Campus and continue promoting the Pyeongtaek Godeok International School project.

Additionally, the city will undertake activities to establish autonomous public high schools and science high schools, and plans to expand spaces for youth activities. The city will also implement programs in cooperation with currently operating universities and high schools to foster future advanced talent.

In the welfare sector, the city has decided to develop and implement policies so that everyone from newborns to the elderly can benefit equally.

First, to create 'a city where raising children is easy,' the city plans to establish a pediatric emergency medical system, build public postpartum care facilities, create a children's creative experience center, and promote Pyeongtaek-style childbirth incentive policies.

As part of 'Pyeongtaek-style Customized Welfare,' the city will also implement support for medical expenses for diabetes patients, free public transportation for seniors, interest support for youth loans, establish basic plans for persons with disabilities, and operate a foreign resident support center.

Finally, in the culture sector, the city plans to expand opportunities for citizens to enjoy culture through infrastructure expansion. The city will successfully complete ongoing projects including the Pyeongtaek Lake Tourism Complex, waterfront spaces around Pyeongtaek Port, Pyeongtaek Arts Center, Pyeongtaek Museum, Baedari Living Culture and Sports Center, and Halbuk Sports Facilities, and plans to promote the return of Alpha Ammunition Depot and areas provided by the U.S. Forces Korea to establish cultural facilities on those sites.