Guri Mayor Baek Gyeong-hyeon Presents Six Directions for City Administration in 2026

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Mayor Baek Gyeong-hyeon of Guri City presented major policies and city administration directions for 2026 through a municipal address at the first plenary session of the second regular session of the 354th Guri City Council on the 20th.

Mayor Baek set the 2025 city administration goal as "Fruits of Promise, Opening Guri City's Future" and announced that all capabilities have been concentrated over the past year to create tangible achievements that citizens can experience.

In particular, he presented the following as major accomplishments: △reinducement of a large-scale mart (Lotte Mart) △compliance with administrative procedures for the Inchang Stream ecological river restoration project △installation of platforms (decks) under the Wangsuk Stream embankment △opening of Inchang Library's planetarium △completion of the underground lighting gallery project under Topyeong Bridge △implementation of free shingles vaccination for all Guri citizens aged 65 and older △holding of the 2025 Guri Light Festival.

He also emphasized that despite difficult fiscal conditions, the city will maintain a solid sound financial framework and make every effort to prevent investment for livelihood stabilization, protection of socially disadvantaged groups, local economic recovery, and building the foundation for future growth from shrinking through proactive financial acquisition and strategic budget execution through selection and concentration.

He then presented six directions for 2026 city administration: △building a happy city with warm empathy and resilience full of inclusivity △creating a solid economic city where small business owners and small and medium enterprises grow △pursuing dynamic growth by expanding investment to build self-sufficient cities △expanding the foundation of metropolitan transportation at the center of urban competition and constructing parking lots △realizing a dynamic young city full of culture and vitality △creating a sustainable eco-friendly city for future generations.

First, to build an inclusive happy city, the city will implement: △providing national-level highest standard of honorary compensation for national meritorious persons △supporting public transportation fees for seniors aged 65 and older △expanding birthday celebration money for people aged 88 and 100 △expanding Guri Senior Nursing Home △providing 3,172 elderly job positions △continuing expansion of childbirth support funds △expanding priority parking zones for pregnant women △continuing support for school entrance preparation funds for elementary, middle and high school new students △establishing a new pet culture center.

To create a solid economic city, the city will promote: △creating a clean traditional market environment △strengthening competitiveness of small business owners and traditional markets through the Guri City Commerce Activation Foundation △providing management stabilization support such as small business owner special guarantees △designating additional alley-type shopping streets and Guri Love gift certificates events △continuously discovering Waguri restaurants △establishing online promotional platform for small and medium enterprises △operating a promotional center supporting sales channels for small and medium enterprises.

In addition, to lay the foundation for a self-sufficient city, the city will focus on: △Guri Topyeong Hangang public housing district smart green city project △E-commerce new growth cutting-edge city development project △startup support and nurturing, and will proceed with Guri City's annexation by Seoul according to citizens' will and intention.

In particular, for building metropolitan transportation infrastructure and expanding parking lots, the city will pursue: △GTX-B line stopping at Galmaeri Station △expansion of the metropolitan road between Taereung and Guri IC △establishment of transfer stations △underground penetrating road construction connecting Wangsuk Stream riverside to Gangbyeon North Road △Inchang retention pond parking lot project △Galmaeri 2 reservoir covered parking lot installation project △Doldarigiyeoul Park public parking lot construction △Guri City bus public depot construction △establishment of subway transfer parking lots at three 8th Line stations.

In addition, to create a dynamic young city full of vitality, the city will promote: △proceeding with the construction of Guri Municipal Art Museum △holding rape flower and cosmos festivals and Guri Light Festival △creating artificial turf soccer fields at the civic stadium △constructing a comprehensive dome stadium within the Topyeong Hangang public housing district △constructing an indoor badminton court in Galmaeri △creating an indoor tennis court at Wangsuk Sports Park △creating Gyomun Sports Park △constructing Galmaei Youth Culture Center within Galmaei station area district △establishing Guri Office of Education △providing free shingles vaccination for seniors aged 65 and older △operating five city health promotion centers by region △constructing complex community centers in Sutak 2-dong and Inchang-dong △newly opening Sutak 2-dong administrative welfare center △constructing Gyomun 1-dong administrative welfare center.

Furthermore, to create a sustainable eco-friendly city, the city will promote: △Inchang Stream ecological river restoration project △major overhaul of waste-to-energy facility incinerator △modernization of recycled materials intermediate processing center and sorting facility △expansion of facilities such as waterside platforms at Inmun-an Reservoir Park △expansion of Wangsuk Stream terrace park parking lot △creating a barrier-free shared trail at Achasan Siruborg fortress △two-stage urban forest remodeling of Geombae Neighborhood Park.

For this purpose, the city has allocated and submitted to the city council a 2026 primary budget of 743.7 billion won (with 47 billion won (0.63%) increase compared to the previous year), consisting of 660.7 billion won in the general account and 83 billion won in special accounts.

Mayor Baek said, "Next year's budget has been strategically allocated to essential areas for livelihood stabilization such as support for ordinary people and vulnerable groups, and essential projects such as small business owner and alley commerce revitalization and improving our city's future growth and competitiveness," and emphasized, "I ask for the city council's cooperation so that next year's projects can proceed normally."