New Year's Address Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sang-il

Respected 1.1 million citizens of Yongin Special City!

This is Yongin Special City Mayor Lee Sang-il.

I offer my New Year's greetings to the esteemed citizens of Yongin Special City.

As we welcome the Year of the Blue Snake in 을사년, I wish all citizens greater health and hope for a year filled with optimism.

The Second Term of Yongin Special City has continued from last year to achieve remarkable progress and outstanding accomplishments in alignment with our city government vision of "Building the Future Together, Yongin Renaissance."

First, there has been a remarkable achievement in resolving major regulations that have constrained Yongin's development for decades.

After 45 years, the Songtan Water Source Protection Zone has been lifted, and after 25 years, the waterfront area in Pogok-eup, which was subject to dual regulations, has been deregulated.

With over 20 million pyeong of land now freed from restrictions, this space can be used for residential areas for citizens, industrial complexes for quality enterprises, and cultural, artistic, and sports facilities.

There has been significant progress in our plan to make Yongin Special City the central hub of the world's largest semiconductor mega cluster.

Leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers including ASML, Lam Research, Tokyo Electron, and domestic semiconductor material and parts companies are flocking to Yongin, rapidly establishing it as a corporate city centered on the semiconductor industry.

Furthermore, with the approval of the industrial complex plan for the Idong-Namsa-eup Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, we will begin relocation and foundation work alongside full-scale compensation. At the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster in Wonsam-myeon, construction on the first fab—five times the size of Lotte World Tower—will commence in March.

Yongin Special City's international standing has also been elevated.

We established sister city relations with Williamson County, Texas—at the level of South Korea's metropolitan cities and provinces—in September 2024. This year, we plan to establish friendly relations with Fairfax County, Virginia, near Washington, and Seville, one of Europe's four major cities.

We are expanding our city's standing worldwide and broadening our international networks.

The culture, arts, and sports sectors have also achieved notable results this year.

We successfully hosted the 42nd Korean Theater Festival in Yongin and the First Korean University Theater Festival in 2024, demonstrating our capacity as a cultural city.

Poeun Art Hall, our city's flagship cultural and arts venue, will complete its renovation and reopen this year.

We have expanded seating to 1,520 seats—an increase of 260 seats—and replaced audio and visual facilities in a comprehensive upgrade.

Citizens will be able to enjoy performances of even higher quality.

Through well-maintained operations of Yongin Mir Stadium, we hosted the third qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between South Korea and Iraq's men's national soccer teams in October last year.

With approximately 35,000 spectators gathered at Yongin Mir Stadium, the national team match was broadcast live worldwide, enhancing Yongin's standing globally.

Yongin Special City has prioritized education to support students who will bear responsibility for the nation's future.

Following the start of the second term, we have held roundtable discussions with elementary, middle, and high school principals and parents association chairs to address issues at schools and expand facilities based on suggestions, consistently requesting cooperation from the Ministry of Education and Gyeonggi Province Office of Education. Last year, we held meetings with 189 school principals, parents association chairs, and two special schools, focusing on creating safe commuting environments and improving educational conditions.

Additionally, Yongin Semiconductor High School, which passed the central investment review of the Ministry of Education in April last year—first in Gyeonggi Province—will significantly contribute to the development of the semiconductor industry centered on Yongin.

We supported Baekaм High School and Yongin Samgye High School to be selected in the Ministry of Education's autonomous public high school 2.0 program, enabling both schools to receive 1 billion won in government support each for five years.

While Yongin Special City is undertaking many significant projects, many citizens still face great and small inconveniences in their daily lives. To address this, starting May 1 last year, we held communication forums to listen to voices from all sectors of society in 38 eups, myeons, and dongs and explore solutions.

We received 323 suggestions—112 from Choin-gu, 144 from Giheung-gu, and 67 from Suji-gu—and are resolving them by sector. We have also held communication concerts with representatives of multi-unit housing residents in all three districts to actively address the submitted suggestions.

2024 was a year of good news regarding road infrastructure in Yongin Special City.

The government decided to exempt the National Road No. 45 expansion project—which runs through the Idong-Namsa-eup Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex—from preliminary feasibility studies and to provide national funding.

With the preliminary feasibility study waived, the timeline for the project to expand 12.7 km from four lanes to eight lanes has been accelerated by approximately three years, with expansion construction expected to begin in 2026.

The Gyeongbu Underground Expressway project has passed review by the preliminary feasibility study of the Ministry of Budget and Finance. We will actively pursue Yongin Special City's L-shaped three-axis road network plan. The Dongbaek IC construction project also received final approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in October last year, and we are proceeding with construction targeted to begin in 2027 and open in 2029.

The Sejong-Pocheon Expressway's Anseong–Yongin–Guri section officially opened on December 31, connecting with the Guri–Pocheon section that opened in June 2017, significantly reducing travel times to Seoul, northern Gyeonggi Province, and the Chungcheong region.

We have worked to make Yongin Special City a safe city.

The mayor and related agencies of Yongin Special City, including the Yongin East and West Police Stations, Yongin Fire Department, Yongin West Fire Department, and Yongin Office of Education, hold monthly Safety Culture Salons to discuss and implement policies related to safety.

This represents the nation's first regular institutional meeting where related agency heads regularly gather to discuss inter-agency cooperation and support for citizen safety.

As major achievements, we have installed rooftop evacuation guidance systems on all apartments and elementary, middle, and high schools in the city, receiving high national recognition. We have conducted special inspections of apartment complexes under construction to ensure safety, strengthened rebar placement reviews during design and construction of new apartments, and encouraged installation of flood prevention facilities to provide safe housing.

Respected 1.1 million citizens of Yongin Special City!

Though the domestic and international environment remains highly uncertain, Yongin Special City will make another leap forward in 2025.

Platform City construction and large-scale residential housing development on the former Police Academy site will begin. Reconstruction of numerous apartment complexes in Suji-gu that were developed around the same time as the First New Town will also commence.

Our 2025 city governance goals are to systematically establish the framework of the world's premier semiconductor-centered city and a metropolitan-class city leading South Korea, ensuring that these mega-projects harmonize with citizens' lives across all city government sectors.

To implement this, alongside the city government vision of "Building the Future Together, Yongin Renaissance," we will carefully pursue seven major city governance goals.

First, I will drive dynamic innovative growth.

I will mobilize all administrative capacity to ensure that the plan to create Yongin's world-noticed L-shaped semiconductor complex and make it the central hub of the world's largest semiconductor mega cluster proceeds without disruption.

I will ensure that compensation and relocation for the Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex satisfy residents and actively coordinate with relevant central ministries for construction to begin in the second half of 2026 so the first fab can operate on a trial basis by 2030. Simultaneously, I will continue efforts to attract world-leading equipment manufacturers.

I also plan to actively work to include the Gyeonggang Line extension—with a benefit-cost ratio of 0.92 confirming project feasibility—in the Fifth National Railroad Network Construction Plan. I will do my best to realize the Bundang Line extension project connecting from Giheung Station through Dongtan New Town 2 to Osan Station, a total of 16.9 km, which recently completed preliminary feasibility studies by the Korea Railroad Corporation and has had the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport request the Ministry of Economy and Finance to review preliminary feasibility studies.

I will pursue the Semiconductor Expressway connecting from Hwaseong Yangam–Namsa–Idong to Anseong Ilchuk with strong determination.

In particular, I ask for citizens' interest and support so that the Gyeonggi South Wide-Area Railroad and SRT Seongnae Station can be established—projects representing our city's hopes and aspirations.

Second, I will work for balanced development that provides a good living environment for all.

First, I will comprehensively establish the 2040 Yongin Urban Master Plan, the 2040 Sewerage Improvement Master Plan, and the "Yongin Vision 2040 Future City Development Strategy" to properly chart Yongin's future 20 to 30 years from now, reflecting our city's development process and domestic and international environmental changes.

The former Police Academy site development project, which has been in limbo for eight years, will also get back on track. We will accelerate development planning with construction beginning in June, and we will ensure that the Idong-eup satellite new town is developed in time with the national industrial complex's operation.

The Gyeonggi–Yongin Platform City urban development project has completed implementation plans and administrative procedures for permits. The 3rd Section handled by Yongin City Corporation began construction on December 30 last year. We will complete site development by 2030. We plan to efficiently link wide-area transportation networks including the GTX Seongnae Station, Suin-Bundang Line, and Gyeongbu Underground Expressway around Platform City to create a transportation hub for the southern Seoul metropolitan area, and develop the area in a direction where residential, commercial, industrial, and cultural functions harmonize, including MICE industry facilities such as conventions, hotels, and cultural facilities.

The prolonged domestic consumption downturn continues to cause difficulties for our businesses and small business owners.

Despite this situation, our city is working to attract more tourists to Yongin Central Market, the representative tourism-type market of southern Gyeonggi. We plan to add six new alley-type shopping districts in addition to the six designated last year. We will actively promote expanded guarantee programs, environmental improvement projects, and startup/restart support programs to address concerns of small business owners.

The Namsa-eup Flower Distribution Complex construction project is proceeding with administrative procedures targeting 2026 for construction commencement.

Third, I will make every effort to realize Yongin as a city of hope offering education for dreams, learning, and creativity.

I will continue to hold school principal meetings and parents association chair meetings in 2025 to maintain diverse communication, enabling more citizens to participate in realizing Yongin Renaissance.

I also plan to continue requesting necessary education environment improvement funds from the Ministry of Education and Gyeonggi Province Office of Education, while maximizing support for future generations within the city—the highest in Gyeonggi Province.

Currently, remodeling projects are underway for the Central Library and Seongnae Library, built long ago. I will do my best to ensure Shinbong Library completes by 2026 and Eunhwa Samji District Library and Gorim Jeongdeok District Library complete by 2028 on schedule. For areas where immediate library construction is difficult—Yeokbuk-dong, Mabuk-dong, and Sangha-dong—we will install smart libraries to satisfy residents' passion for reading.

I will continue efforts to establish new schools where needed, such as Giheung 1 Middle School and Giheung Station area middle school. We will proceed without disruption on gymnasium remodeling projects for Pogok Middle School and Wonsam Elementary School using secured Ministry of Education budgets, as well as the Baeкam Elementary School Complex Cultural Center construction.

We will ensure the Heungdeok Youth Cultural Center, opening in July this year, operates well as a space for creativity and innovation for youth.

Fourth, I will further develop into a culturally refined city centered on citizens.

The First Korean University Theater Festival, which gained sensational popularity last year, will be hosted again in Yongin Special City this year. We are considering hosting an international university theater festival to nurture the dreams and talents of university students nationwide, establishing Yongin as the "Theater City."

I will create high-level landmark parks in each district.

First, we will designate the Idong Reservoir near the national industrial complex as a city planning facility park and proceed with administrative procedures to develop it as the largest waterfront neighborhood park in the Seoul metropolitan area. We will also change the designation of Giheung Reservoir from an amusement area to a city planning facility park and develop it as a recreational space with a pedestrian bridge and an 18-hole par golf course. We will develop Suji Central Park between Seongbok-dong and Shinbong-dong in Suji-gu as a health-themed recreational space.

Additionally, we will develop Farm & Forest Town in Baeкam-myeon with a targeted opening in June 2026 to create the Seoul metropolitan area's representative leisure tourism complex. We will expand our popular barefoot walking trails from 26 locations to a total of 52.

Next to the former General Sports Complex, Buzz International, established by golf legend Park Se-ri, will open "SERI PAK with Yongin," a complex sports and culture space, in March this year. Through collaboration with the city, various sports and culture programs including elementary and middle school golf camps will operate here, contributing to golf and sports development, cultural promotion, and revitalization of the local economy.

We will open the Giheung National Recreation Center in Yeongdeok 1-dong in July this year and properly pursue the construction of the multipurpose sports facility in the former Giheung Middle School, Dongbaek Comprehensive Welfare Center, and Bojeong Comprehensive Welfare Center.

We plan to implement more diverse Citizens Day festival events this year.

In particular, we are planning a nationwide character festival to promote Joa-Yong during the 2025 Citizens Day celebration, positioning it as our city's representative festival for the future.

Fifth, I will make every effort to realize warm welfare reaching every corner.

With the completion of the Veterans Hall and the entry of related organizations into it, we will proceed as planned with the construction of the East Region Women's Welfare Center and Disabled Persons Hall.

We will continue to expand customized ramp installation services for people with mobility difficulties and home repair services for elderly living alone.

Our city, which received Age-Friendly City certification from the World Health Organization in May last year, will create 60 smart senior community centers that incorporate advanced technology to assist with elderly health management.

We will also launch elderly companion services that assist with health management when seniors without caregivers visit hospitals or banks, and implement visiting fingerprint registration services to prevent dementia patient disappearances.

We are providing package support from pregnancy through childbirth to improve birth rates. We will expand the establishment of municipal childcare facilities and multi-care centers where families can feel confident leaving their children.

Starting with the Giheung National Recreation Center opening in July this year, we will install family shower rooms, changing rooms, and restrooms for disabled people in all public buildings planned to have swimming pools.

We will implement policies to help young people beginning their careers settle into society.

We will establish a private-public participation support system to help socially isolated youth recover their daily lives and achieve independence. We will also promote the Yongin Young People's First Home Purchase Loan Interest Support Project to stabilize youth housing.

Sixth, I will create a beautiful environment where people and nature harmonize.

Last year, heat-related illnesses increased by 31% during record heat waves, and the World Economic Forum identified climate crisis as the top global risk. The climate crisis is a serious problem facing us.

Having opened Yongin's Carbon Neutrality Support Center last year, this year we will pursue 69 carbon neutrality projects and 39 climate crisis adaptation projects to achieve the cumulative greenhouse gas reduction target of 556,000 tons. We will improve water quality in Yulgok Stream, a tributary of Cheongmi Stream, through integrated intensive pollution stream improvement projects.

For Giheung Reservoir, Idong Reservoir, and Yongdam Reservoir—which have grown in importance as citizen recreational spaces—we will focus on water quality improvement through green algae prevention projects and actively pursue firefly habitat creation projects.

We will transition the food waste collection system for Suji area by closing automatic collection facilities and installing RFID volume-based fee devices to resolve citizen inconveniences, and we will expand RFID volume-based fee device installation to Heungdeok and single/multi-family housing areas.

Seventh, through active governance that communicates with citizens, I will collaborate with citizens to address and resolve community issues.

I will work to expand public transportation to improve citizen transportation convenience and increase parking facilities.

Currently, even though we want to increase village bus operations, the shortage of drivers has forced us to reduce intercity bus service.

Though the city's financial situation is challenging, next year we will improve working conditions for long-serving drivers and pursue driver training programs, improving village bus frequency by approximately 20%.

We will secure as many environmentally friendly buses as possible to prevent citizen inconvenience in public transportation use, stably operate bus semi-public operation, and continue efforts to increase wide-area bus routes.

We will also expand municipal parking facilities to address citizen parking inconveniences.

Construction will formally begin in March next year for three municipal parking facilities: Yeokbuk District, Gugal-dong Anma Village, and Pungdeokcheon-dong Towol. We will also begin administrative procedures to establish a Gugal Shopping District municipal parking facility.

Additionally, I will create opportunities to communicate with organizations and citizens from all sectors, listen to diverse opinions, and seek solutions. To address various issues that may arise in citizens' daily lives, we plan to hold the "2025 Citizens Experience Daily Life-Oriented Project Report" in February this year to examine project strategies and discuss detailed implementation plans.

While there is much work the city must do and many things we wish to accomplish in 2025, the city faces challenging fiscal circumstances.

Global uncertainty is rising due to the U.S. political transition and the Russia-Ukraine war. It is difficult to predict the domestic political and economic situation even one step ahead.

Even the Korea Development Institute has already lowered its growth projections, and the city's tax revenue outlook remains unclear.

Winston Churchill said, "The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty."

During the past two and a half years of the second term, Yongin Special City has demonstrated the strength to accomplish tremendous achievements that all of South Korea envies despite challenging circumstances.

Though the situation is difficult for everyone, I will do my best together with all city officials for improving citizens' quality of life and developing Yongin Special City.

Respected 1.1 million citizens of Yongin Special City!

Creating a better tomorrow than today is the responsibility of us all.

I ask for your continued support and interest, and I hope you will work together with us for the development of Yongin Special City.

In the new year of 2025, I pray that all your endeavors succeed and that peace and harmony reign in your families.

Happy New Year.