Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "I Will Transform Suwon Into an 'Advanced Science Research City'"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "I will transform Suwon into an 'Advanced Science Research City.'"

The mayor held a New Year briefing at the City Hall conference room on the 6th, saying, "We will promote the 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' and 'Tapdong Innovation Valley' projects as the first steps to creating an advanced science research city, and we will transform Suwon into an advanced science research city where advanced companies in AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology gather."

He also revealed a 'Spatial Transformation' plan that reorganizes the urban spatial structure centered on transit stations. Mayor Lee stated, "We will promote the 'Suwon-style Transit-Oriented Development Activation Project' centered on railroad stations, and we will conduct pilot projects at 8 railroad stations this year."

The city established guidelines for the Suwon-style transit-oriented development activation project last year and plans to establish a master plan this year. To expedite the project, the city will push forward with the enactment and revision of related ordinances.

Mayor Lee said, "This year's top priority is reviving the struggling livelihood economy," adding, "We will devote all our capabilities to turning the crisis into an opportunity by revitalizing the livelihood economy."

To revitalize local commercial districts, the city expanded the Suwon Pay charging limit to 500,000 won and the incentive to 10% this year. For January and October when lunar holidays occur, the incentive was increased to 20%. The January incentive budget was depleted early on New Year's Day.

Mayor Lee announced, "So that more citizens can receive incentives, we will additionally invest 5 billion won in budget and provide 20% incentives again starting at 9 a.m. on January 24."

The city also announced maintenance plans for Suwon's four major rivers: Suwon Stream, Seoho Stream, Weoncheon-ri Stream, and Hwangguji Stream. The plan includes improving pedestrian paths and restoring river ecosystems to create recreational spaces where citizens can enjoy leisure and cultural activities.

Mayor Lee also stated, "I offer my condolences to those who lost their lives in the aviation disaster, and extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families."

[Suwon Special Metropolitan City 2025 New Year Briefing] Full Text

- Achieving Suwon Transformation That Citizens Can Feel -

Respected citizens and members of the press of Suwon Special Metropolitan City!

Hello. I am Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun.

A new year has dawned in the Year of the Eul-Sa. Wishing you all happiness in the new year!

It has now been 2 years and 6 months since the launch of the 8th popularly elected Suwon Special Metropolitan City government.

I have arranged this venue to share the direction of 'Suwon Transformation That Citizens Can Feel' and communicate with you all.

I thank everyone for joining us.

Late last year, there was a tragic accident in which 179 people lost their lives in an aviation disaster.

I offer my condolences to those who lost their lives.

I extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families.

A month has passed since the emergency martial law incident.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are still suffering.

Consumer sentiment has been dampened and local commercial districts have become deserted.

Exchange rates have soared, causing difficulties for companies that import raw materials.

The livelihood economy is on the brink.

This Year's Top Priority is Reviving the Livelihood Economy

This year's top priority is to revive the collapsed livelihood economy.

And it is to achieve Suwon transformation that citizens can feel.

In December, we announced measures to revive the livelihood economy.

First, we budgeted 41.1 billion won for Suwon Pay incentives, significantly increasing the incentive amount.

The Suwon Pay charging limit was expanded to 500,000 won, and the incentive to 10%.

For January and October when lunar holidays occur, we increased it to 20%.

With enthusiastic response from citizens, the January incentive budget was depleted early on New Year's Day.

Many citizens must have been disappointed not to receive the incentive.

Therefore, to allow more citizens to receive incentives, we will additionally invest 5 billion won in budget.

Starting at 9 a.m. on January 24, we will provide 20% incentives again.

We have budgeted 545 billion won for regional job creation and are implementing early execution.

We are providing 100 billion won in New Light Loans, reducing interest costs for small and medium-sized enterprises by half.

We have established an 'Emergency Livelihood Economy Stabilization Task Force.'

We will respond swiftly if crises arise.

Despite the turbulent times, we will steadfastly take responsibility for the livelihood economy.

Suwon Has Become More Livable

Last year, the Korea Regional Management Institute conducted an evaluation of sustainable cities.

Suwon was selected as the '2nd Most Livable City' among cities nationwide.

I am pleased that the work we have been doing to create a new Suwon has been recognized.

This year, we will work harder to secure 1st place.

Recently, the National Tax Service released the 4th quarter 2024 national tax statistics.

The average total annual salary of workers in Suwon was 60.74 million won, ranking 4th among 226 basic local governments nationwide.

The national average is 43.32 million won, and Suwon is at 1.4 times that level.

By creating an advanced science research city, we will create quality jobs.

As the quality of jobs improves, workers' incomes will increase further.

We Are Building a Clean City

In December, in the 2024 Public Institution Integrity Evaluation conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, we received a Grade 2 comprehensive integrity rating.

Since there is no Grade 1 local government in the group to which Suwon belongs, Grade 2 is the highest rating.

We have worked hard together with public officials to improve integrity, and we achieved good results.

We will continue to work hard to build a livable city and a clean city.

The New Light Series Has Become the Driving Force for a New Suwon

The 'New Light Series,' the policy brand of Suwon's 8th popularly elected government, is becoming a driving force for creating a new Suwon.

For the New Light Civil Service Center case featuring veteran civil servants, we received the Presidential Award in the '2024 Local Government Proactive Administration Comprehensive Evaluation' conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Benchmarking from local governments and institutions across the country continues.

New Light Talk Talk surpassed 100,000 subscribers and has established itself as a public discourse platform for citizens.

The Department of Public Administration at Ajou University and Kyonggi University have even established courses using New Light Talk Talk.

The Suwon Enterprise New Light Fund surpassed 315 billion won in formation amount and 17.5 billion won in Suwon enterprise investment.

New Light House, which supports home repairs in low-rise residential areas, has achieved 1,000 units.

Achieving Suwon Transformation That Citizens Can Feel

We will achieve 'Suwon Transformation' that citizens can feel.

Centered on three major goals of economic transformation, spatial transformation, and living transformation, and six strategies including a balanced growth future city, a vibrant local commercial district protection city, a safe and convenient transportation hub city, a participatory complex development creative city, a caring city that strengthens people's lives, and a charming city with culture and enjoyment, we will move toward Suwon Transformation.

Suwon Will Be Reborn as an Advanced Science Research City

Suwon's future is an 'Advanced Science Research City.'

The 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' and 'Tapdong Innovation Valley' projects, which will be the first steps to creating an advanced science research city, will be pursued in full swing.

On December 13 last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport conditionally approved the 'Suwon Urban Management Plan Decision (Amendment) regarding partial lifting of the Greenbelt.'

The 'Suwon R&D; Science Park Development Project' has taken its first step 12 years after the first implementation plan was established.

After the launch of the 8th popularly elected government, we re-conducted all administrative procedures including strategic environmental impact assessment and business feasibility re-investigation, coordinating with related government agencies.

The 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' is a project with guaranteed success.

R&D;, ICT (information and communications technology), semiconductors, BT (biotechnology), NT (nanotechnology) companies and other advanced research companies are scheduled to move in.

We will faithfully implement the matters that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has presented as approval conditions.

We will create a state-of-the-art R&D; science park.

The 'Tapdong Innovation Valley' development project involves creating a complex business district focused on advanced companies in the Tapdong area.

After announcing the implementation plan approval and notification in March, we will begin land sales.

We will commence construction this year.

We will promote development without delay and attract advanced companies focused on R&D.;

Centered on the Suwon R&D; Science Park and Tapdong Innovation Valley, finally the 'Suwon Economic Free Zone' with a scale of 1 million pyeong (3.3㎢) will be promoted in Suwon.

After designating the Phase 1 1-million-pyeong Suwon Economic Free Zone, in Phase 2 we will create an economic free zone focused on research functions by combining the Seoho and Gosaek districts and others with a scale of 2 million pyeong (6.6㎢).

We will create a Korean-style Silicon Valley with a total scale of 3 million pyeong (9.9㎢).

We will transform Suwon into an 'Advanced Science Research City' where advanced companies in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, IT, ET (e-commerce), NT and others gather.

The Spatial Structure Will Dramatically Change Through Complex Development Around 22 Railroad Stations

Suwon's spatial structure will dramatically change.

Spatial transformation that citizens can feel will be achieved.

The foundation of spatial transformation is the railroad network.

The Dongtan-Indeogwon Line double-track railway construction project is scheduled for completion in 2028, and the Shinbundang Line Gwanggyo-Homaesilsil construction project in 2029.

The Suwon-bound KTX is scheduled to open after completion in 2026.

The GTX-C line project is being pursued with a target completion date of 2028.

In November last year, we submitted a 'Request Letter for Priority Review of the Greater Gyeonggi South Regional Railway' to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

We will work to ensure that the Greater Gyeonggi South Regional Railway is reflected in the 5th National Railroad Network Development Plan.

We will reorganize land use plans to enable high-density mixed-use development in areas around railroad stations with high development demand.

Currently, Suwon has 14 subway stations.

When all metropolitan railroad network construction projects are completed, this will increase to 22.

Centered on 22 railroad stations,

we will promote the 「Suwon-style Transit-Oriented Development Activation Project」.

This year we will conduct pilot projects at 8 railroad stations' transit zones.

Transit-oriented development centered on railroad stations will be the opening move to renewing Suwon.

It will also become a model of a 'Compact City' where residential spaces, cultural facilities, and commercial facilities are concentrated so that everything can be resolved within.

Transit-oriented development will take place within 300m of the center of railroad station platforms.

We will promote three types: urban complex, job creation, and living-centered types.

We established guidelines last year, and this year we will establish a master plan.

We will push forward with the enactment and revision of related ordinances to expedite the project.

We will encourage private sector participation in transit-oriented complex development.

We will transform the urban spatial structure centered on transit zones and achieve spatial transformation.

Suwon's Four Major Rivers Will Dramatically Change

Suwon will be reborn as a more attractive city.

Suwon's four major rivers frequently visited by citizens—Suwon Stream that crosses the city center, Seoho Stream, Weoncheon-ri Stream, and Hwangguji Stream—will dramatically change.

We will create places where citizens can comfortably visit anytime.

We will create recreational spaces where citizens can enjoy leisure and cultural activities.

We will improve pedestrian paths and improve access to rivers.

We will create beautiful rivers ideal for walking.

Additionally, we will expand green spaces and create habitats for flora and fauna.

We will restore river ecosystems and create urban ecological rivers where bees and butterflies fly.

We will establish a master plan for maintaining the four major rivers by October of this year.

We will start with Suwon Stream first.

Beginning with maintenance of the 1.4㎞ section from Gugjeon Bridge to Yucheon 2 Bridge on Suwon Stream, we will gradually renovate the four major rivers in phases.

We will transform the four major rivers into landmark waterfront urban parks where citizens, nature, and the city harmonize.

A living environment transformation that citizens can feel will begin.

Suwon New Light Care Services Will Expand in Target Population and Deepen in Support

We will expand Suwon New Light Care services and target population.

We will deepen support and care for more citizens' lives.

We will expand the support standard from 75% of median income or less to 120% or less.

The support amount has increased from a maximum of 1 million won per person per year to a maximum of 1.5 million won.

Care services will increase to 7 types with the addition of rehabilitation care and residential safety.

The 'Suwon New Light Care Meal Delivery Service,' which is receiving positive response from citizens, will have its target population more than doubled.

We will provide higher quality meals.

We Will Share Suwon's Charm With the World

Suwon City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will jointly host the '2025 Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific Conference.'

The conference will be held at the Suwon Convention Center and throughout Suwon in late May.

After being selected as the host city, we have formed a task force and thoroughly prepared for the Asia-Pacific conference.

Some 10,000 people from approximately 20 Asia-Pacific countries will participate in this conference.

We will operate various programs to showcase Korea's ITS technology and Suwon's charm.

We will make it an opportunity to share Suwon with the world.

We Will Remember Independence Movement Activists and Devote Ourselves to Decentralization

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of liberation and the 30th anniversary of the local government system in Korea.

We will hold planning exhibitions, academic symposiums, and Liberation Day week events that highlight Suwon's independence movement activists.

We will remember independence movement activists together with citizens.

We will devote more effort to decentralization.

Decentralization must be properly achieved so that local governments' authority increases.

With expanded authority, we can improve excessive regulations from the central government that hinder regional growth.

We Will Turn Crisis Into Opportunity

The aftermath of the December 3rd emergency martial law incident and the aviation disaster continue.

All of South Korea is feeling withdrawn.

It seems it will take a long time for the livelihood economy to fully recover.

We will turn crisis into opportunity.

I will devote all my capabilities to reviving the livelihood economy.

With the spirit of 'sharing the same boat,' we will stand in solidarity and cooperate with citizens.

We will surely overcome this current crisis.

I ask that Suwon City be trusted, and that public officials and civil society work together.

2025 will be the year when 'A New Suwon, Shining Citizens,' promised when I took office as the 8th popularly elected Suwon City mayor, is completed.

I will ensure that people hear the words "Suwon is truly a great place to live" here and there.

We will create 'Suwon Transformation That Citizens Can Feel.'

Together with citizens, we will move forward step by step toward 'Citizen-Felt Suwon Transformation.'

Thank you.