Mayor Kim Bo-ra of Anseong: "Completing a Sustainable City Together with Citizens"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyeok] Mayor Kim Bo-ra of Anseong presented "sustainable urban growth" as the city administration direction for 2026 at the 235th Anseong City Council 2nd Regular Session on the 24th and explained next year's budget proposal.

In her policy speech, Mayor Kim stated, "Throughout this period, Anseong has maintained its goal of 'citizen-centered, citizen-oriented interests' and has continued its efforts for regional development despite economic slowdown, tax revenue shortfalls, and unstable political circumstances," adding, "All paths in Anseong always lead toward its citizens."

This year, the city expanded infrastructure related to administration, care services, lifelong education, and culture, focusing on enhancing urban competitiveness in various sectors including strengthened citizen-oriented transportation services, new night economy activation projects, expanded corporate investment attraction, and livestock odor reduction initiatives.

The population has increased annually, surpassing 2.1 million, the Namsadang Baudeokgi Festival held in October recorded 600,000 visitors, and Geumgang Lake Park Du-jin Literature Trail attracted over 300,000 visitors, emerging as a regional tourism hub.

Anseong's 2026 budget proposal totals 1.284 trillion won, including 1.1 trillion won in general accounts and 184 billion won in special accounts, representing a 0.5% increase compared to 2025, with emphasis on △economic innovation △renewable energy transition △and expansion of residential population.

By sector, the budget includes △432.3 billion won for health and welfare △130.8 billion won for culture, tourism, and industry △117.7 billion won for agriculture △54.6 billion won for education and sports △12 billion won for safety △158 billion won for urban development and environment △82.9 billion won for roads and transportation, and others.

Next year's priority initiatives include △cultivation of regional strategic industries such as semiconductors, food, and manufacturing △establishing an energy self-reliant city based on RE100 △expanding residential population through the 'Anseong All Citizens' program △strengthening care services in health, welfare, housing, and medical sectors △expanding cultural spaces in daily life and stay-type tourism content △child-friendly city projects and lifelong learning city development △strengthening rural economy through establishment of an integrated food support center △continuous inspection of high-risk facilities and expansion of safety infrastructure △strengthened roads and transportation environment for citizen convenience.

Mayor Kim Bo-ra stated, "Every budget has clear grounds and logic, so it was formulated based on thorough data verification and on-site confirmation, and unnecessary projects were decisively eliminated," and "next year's budget proposal contains only the will to serve citizens and careful preparation for Anseong's future."

She continued, "Anseong, located right in the center between Seoul, the economic capital, and Sejong, the administrative capital, is building sustainable urban foundations in line with national policy directions," emphasizing, "We will move forward without stopping to leap toward becoming a central hub city of Korea's central inland region."