New Year's Address Seo Tae-won, Gapyeong County Governor

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gapyeong County has set improving residents' quality of life as its top priority for the new year and is launching a full-scale strategy to develop its pristine natural environment into a regional economy.

County Governor Seo Tae-won stated in his 2026 New Year's address, "As we enter the new year, I will prioritize caring for our residents' lives," and "I will create a Gapyeong centered on people through attentive care and warm welfare policies."

He also plans to establish a public healthcare foundation without delay through the promotion of establishing a county-run hospital.

He further stated, "Infrastructure for daily life such as roads, transportation, and water supply are directly linked to residents' quality of life," and "I will responsibly and steadily expand the foundation facilities that reduce everyday inconveniences and enhance safety."

Governor Seo also presented the county's direction, saying, "Rather than stopping at protecting nature, I will complete Gapyeong's unique extended-stay tourism model by creating a structure where nature circulates and grows, so that its value translates into residents' income and future growth."

The county has continuously established the foundation to transform the region from a regulation-focused area into a space of opportunity through last year's designation as a border area, additional designation as a Peace Economic Special Zone, and the completion of Jara Island's registration as a Gyeonggi Province provincial garden. The plan is to systematically build a "structure where nature itself becomes the economy" by connecting Jara Island, the North Han River, forests, and various parts of villages.

In particular, he stated, "I designate this year as the year of 'Ma Bu Ting Ti (馬不停蹄),' and like a horse that does not stop and steadily moves forward, I will execute key initiatives without disruption."

Additionally, Governor Seo emphasized, "I will place all administrative standards on residents' lives and wisely utilize nature, Gapyeong's greatest asset, to connect it to residents' income and sustainable regional growth," and "Throughout this year, I will steadily continue Gapyeong's path of blossoming nature into an economy together with our residents."

Governor Seo Tae-won stated, "I will place all administrative standards on residents' lives and wisely utilize nature, Gapyeong's greatest asset, to connect it to residents' income and sustainable regional growth," and "Throughout this year, I will steadily continue Gapyeong's path of blossoming nature into an economy together with our residents."