Yeoju City in 8th Popular Election Period Selected as Outstanding Local Government in Multiple Fields...Major Boost to Policy Implementation

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Yeoju City in the 8th popular election period, which has consistently implemented policies to raise citizens' happiness index throughout this year, is gaining significant momentum in policy implementation as it has been selected as an outstanding local government in multiple fields this year.

Suwon Ilbo met exclusively with Mayor Lee Chung-woo of Yeoju City to discuss the overall achievements and business promotion of Yeoju City over the past year.

In October, the city was selected as one of the 'Top 10 Outstanding Basic Local Governments Nationwide' in a research and evaluation on 'regional resilience' conducted by the Hankyoreh Economic and Social Research Institute targeting 226 basic local governments across the nation, achieving recognition across all sectors including environment, economy, and society.

Additionally, the city was selected as an outstanding institution in the Gyeonggi Province Rural Promotion Projects in four fields including rural resources, as well as receiving excellent ratings in the Ministry of Interior and Safety's civil petition service evaluation, with numerous awards continuing as the year comes to a close.

It is highly significant that Yeoju City, which has maintained a population of 120,000 while facing many restrictions on regional development due to overlapping regulations in the metropolitan area over the past 40 years, has been selected as a 'city of outstanding regional resilience' that has escaped the crisis of regional decline.

Mayor Lee Chung-woo stated, "The Yongin Semiconductor Cluster agreement in the early stages of my tenure opened the first door to change and growth," and added, "The major policies of Yeoju City's 8th popular election period, including the promotion of 16 new general industrial complexes and the goal of 'sustainable cities and communities,' have been implemented without disruption, resulting in these achievements."

Yeoju City's achievements have brought about changes in the social and economic sectors, including a year-on-year job increase rate of 7.7%, an increase rate of 32.92% in regular employment at business establishments with 300 or more employees, a housing unit increase rate of 5.4%, and a disability employment ratio of 5.33%.

Specifically, the city's achievements are evaluated as resulting from the development of the first large-scale industrial complex in the natural conservation zone, the creation of a safe and convenient public market for 'Yeoju Oil Market,' revitalization of the old downtown through co-prosperity vouchers and regional gift cards, and establishment of a tourism city through stay-type tourism.

Additionally, significant achievements were made in the social welfare sector based on the participation and cooperation of community members.

With the goal of creating a "happy city where anyone would want to live," Yeoju City has been implementing 78 detailed projects across 5 major areas—transportation, safety, housing, culture, education, health, and employment—since 2023, and this year received certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) for joining the 2nd phase of the International Age-Friendly Cities Network.

Selected as a pilot city for the 2nd Integrated Medical Care, Long-term Care, and Caregiving Support Project in 2025, the city will implement systematic elderly care integrated support projects starting from March next year.

Mayor Lee Chung-woo stated, "I believe that the experience of these achievements will become the best foundation for Yeoju City to fully accomplish the tasks it aims to achieve in the future," and added, "I am grateful to the citizens of Yeoju for their unwavering support and encouragement."