New Year's Address Baek Kyung-hyun, Mayor of Guri

Dear citizens of Guri, numbering 190,000!

The eventful Year of the Dragon has passed, and the Year of the Snake has dawned. Looking back on last year, it was truly difficult and challenging. The economic environment both at home and abroad was marked by significant shortages, and the political environment was also highly turbulent.

We turned these crises into opportunities and, without yielding to any obstacle and keeping only our citizens in mind, did our utmost to create a 'Guri City with pleasant change and greater happiness.'

As a result, among 10 sectors, 106 projects, and 142 tasks created together with 190,000 citizens, we implemented 100 of them, achieving over 70% fulfillment and keeping our promises to citizens.

We were selected as an excellent institution for 10 consecutive years in the comprehensive evaluation of 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, and were chosen as the top-rated institution by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for six consecutive years, receiving high praise and recognition from external organizations.

These achievements are thanks to approximately 1,000 civil servants who worked with one heart and citizens who have steadfastly supported us. On this occasion, I extend encouragement to civil servants and gratitude to our citizens.

Respected citizens of Guri!

2025 is an important year to complete the vision of the eighth term city administration and its core projects.

Therefore, we have set the 2025 vision as 'Realizing Promises, Opening Guri's Future,' and to implement this promise, we have established six major city administration directions as follows:

First, laying the foundation for a self-sufficient city through investment in future growth.

Second, establishing wide-area transportation infrastructure centered on people and expanding parking facilities.

Third, building a livable economic city that revitalizes small businesses.

Fourth, creating an inclusive welfare city brimming with warmth of life.

Fifth, creating a healthy and happy city with prestigious culture.

Sixth, building a sustainable, eco-friendly city that is clean and stable.

With a commitment to completing these projects, we have set the New Year's theme as 'Sinjong-yeosi (愼終如始).' This phrase is cited from the 'Myeongsimsabogyeom,' and it means 'Never to relax one's mind until the end, as at the beginning.'

It is also a promise to create Guri City where all citizens enjoy happy lives and are guaranteed a hopeful future, based on the new growth engines secured over the past two and a half years.

Dear citizens of Guri!

Since ancient times, the snake has been regarded as an animal of high wisdom that does not yield even when facing difficulties. This spirit is also the source of Guri City's development and growth. Please witness Guri City's dynamic leap forward. Wishing you good fortune in the new year.