'Uiwang Cultural Foundation Establishment' Now Gaining Full Momentum...Target Launch by Year-End

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] Uiwang City announced on the 15th that the 'establishment of Uiwang Cultural Foundation' has gained full momentum after obtaining final establishment approval through the Gyeonggi Province Invested and Contributed Institutions Operating Deliberation Committee on the 30th.

The city smoothly concluded establishment consultation procedures with Gyeonggi Province, a metropolitan local government, in accordance with the 'Local Government Invested and Contributed Institution Act,' interpreting this as passage through a major milestone for foundation establishment.

With Gyeonggi Province's establishment approval as an opportunity, the city plans to proceed sequentially with subsequent procedures including △enactment of ordinances and articles of incorporation △city council approval of investment △establishment registration, targeting the completion of cultural foundation establishment by year-end.

Among 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, 23 have already established cultural foundations and are promoting major projects for regional cultural development. Meanwhile, the city has systematically pursued the establishment of a cultural foundation alongside the construction project for the cultural arts center, viewing it as a turning point in bridging the cultural gap between regions and creating a high-level cultural city.

Once the Uiwang Cultural Foundation is established, the city anticipates that a central institution promoting regional cultural and artistic development and expanding citizens' cultural enjoyment rights will be created, enabling the implementation of customized cultural policies for Uiwang City and professionally operated cultural and artistic projects.

In particular, through planned operations linked with cultural infrastructure facilities, it is expected to establish the city's identity as a premium cultural and artistic city and greatly contribute to improving citizens' quality of life.

Regarding some concerns raised about the foundation's establishment, the city plans to proceed as scheduled while building positive consensus with the local community on the necessity of establishment, as the foundation's establishment has a clear public interest purpose of improving citizens' quality of life.

Mayor Kim Sung-je stated, "The Uiwang Cultural Foundation will serve as a strategic cornerstone for creating a healthy cultural ecosystem where all citizens can easily access and participate in culture and the arts," adding "Going forward, I will do my utmost to create a citizen-centered Cultural City Uiwang where culture and arts breathe and thrive throughout the entire city."