Dear citizens of Icheon, all 240,000 of you!
And to public officials!
The morning of 2026, the hopeful Year of the Red Horse (丙午年), has dawned.
The Year of the Red Horse is the 'Year of the Red Horse.'
Just as the first rays of the new morning rise powerfully over the city, I sincerely wish that the lives of all citizens will be filled with bright energy, like the spirit of the red horse.
First, I express my deepest gratitude to all citizens who have always opened their hearts and extended their hands.
Because of you, Icheon has been able to walk steadily without wavering.
Looking back, the past three and a half years have been a time of facing many challenges.
Before we could overcome the collapse of rice prices and the semiconductor industry downturn with its consequent fiscal constraints, we had to face the difficult challenges of midge larvae damage and heavy snowfall.
Yet Icheon never stopped.
We repaired broken roads, knocked on closed doors, overcame difficulties one by one, and finally sprouted new hope in the lives of our citizens.
Above all, we achieved a major transformation that changed the landscape of industry.
We reopened the path to industrial complex development through the relaxation of adjacent development regulations, and solidly established an axis of future growth connecting semiconductors, small and medium parts suppliers, drones, and defense industries.
At the drone flight testbed and the Robot Drone Startup Support Center, the sparks of technology, experimentation, and entrepreneurship ignited, and the Advanced Defense Drone Festival imprinted 'Icheon, a future city opening the skies' in the minds of all citizens.
Icheon is now being recognized as an 'advanced city' that leads national future strategic industries, transcending traditional and manufacturing industries.
Investment in people has always been at the center of city administration.
Following customized technology education at the Semiconductor Comprehensive Solution Center, Icheon Cheil High School, and Korea Polytechnic University, the successful recruitment of a Gyeonggi-type science high school has opened the door for children to receive world-class science education without having to leave Icheon. The day is not far off when talents raised in Icheon will grow to become the center of Korea's technology.
Care and welfare have brightened the shadows of the city.
Through the mutual consideration of citizens, we have confirmed the location of a municipal cremation facility, which was the most challenging task. We will work to complete it as a space filled with nature-friendly values in partnership with citizens.
We opened the nation's first 24-hour childcare center and operated the 'Knock Knock Health ON Bus' that visits elderly people directly, ensuring that no one suffers alone and no one is left behind, not missing a single small gesture of care.
Icheon is now approaching the hearts of citizens under the names 'City of Care' and 'Warm City.'
The landscape of the city has also become more vibrant.
From Seolbong Park and the Fountain Five-way Intersection to Bokha Stream Waterfront Park and Anheung Lake, the faces of Icheon have been born anew.
Twenty-eight new road networks and smart traffic systems have smoothly changed the flow of the city and made the pace of life more leisurely.
We have brightly colored the city with the warmth of culture.
The Icheon Turtle Play has stepped on European stages and shared our roots and pride with the world.
The Haewol Animation Festival and the Pet Festival have added new colors to Icheon's cultural identity, and the establishment of the National Children's Song Festival and the Children's Song Center have opened an era of hope where children's dreams spread as songs.
Icheon's challenges and changes have continuously received exceptional recognition.
Ranking first nationally for two consecutive years in the 'Quality of Life in Rural and Fishing Communities Assessment' conducted by the Presidential Committee on Rural and Fisheries Affairs, and placing fourth nationwide among autonomous cities in the Sustainable City Assessment released by the Korea Regional Management Institute are results created by our sincerity.
With your fingertips, you changed Icheon, and with your steps, you expanded Icheon's future.
To the citizens who opened the 8th term of popularly elected government with us and waved your hands enthusiastically,
And to public officials who have devoted all their efforts to achieving these results, I express my infinite gratitude.
Respected citizens and public officials!
Over the past three and a half years, amid the rapidly approaching AI revolution, concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and population decline, and intensifying competition between regions, we have never backed down.
The more powerful the waves, the stronger Icheon's courage became, and our great citizens sustained each other and created a path even in crisis. That is Icheon's true strength.
In 2026, Icheon now aims to leap higher and farther based on the strength of our citizens.
To this end, this year our city will expand Icheon's tomorrow around three central pillars: 'Greater Growth,' 'Secure Livelihoods,' and 'Comfortable Daily Life.'
First, we will move toward greater growth.
We will construct an integrated future industry ecosystem where industry, education, and infrastructure are connected as one, from semiconductor and small parts supplier company recruitment and drone and defense industry cultivation to specialized talent development systems.
Through the Daewol 2 General Industrial Complex and a total of 220,000 square meters of industrial complexes, and the development of the Majang area advanced industrial park linked with Seocho-won in Yongin, we will firmly establish the foundation for cutting-edge industries to take root as a solid center of the regional economy.
When transportation changes, industry changes, and the city's character transforms.
The era when the two axes of national railroads connecting Seoser and Geoje, Pyeongtaek and Gangneung cross in Icheon is not far off.
By taking up this great wave, we will make every effort to ensure that Icheon firmly establishes itself as a key gateway city connecting the Seoul metropolitan area and the provinces, so that the GTX-D line, Yongin–Bupyeong semiconductor line, and metropolitan road networks are reflected in national plans and promoted.
Jungri District will stand before citizens this year as a complete new city.
Through Icheon Terminal development, urban regeneration in old downtown and the southern regions, station-area development, and network road construction, we will expand the growth axes of the city in a balanced manner.
Agriculture remains a pillar supporting Icheon.
We will actively support sustainable future agricultural environments through smart agriculture adoption, rural agreement projects, new workforce training, and expanded distribution channels.
Second, we will secure people's livelihoods.
We will establish a comprehensive employment action plan and implement region-specific employment policies, strengthen customized strategies and professional consulting for each commercial area to create 'a city where the warmth of economic recovery seeps into every corner.'
We will seamlessly supplement welfare, education, care, and medical environments by life cycle so that all generations can live stably and happily.
In particular, we will refine 53 youth policies so that our young people can fully design their lives from employment and housing to marriage and mental health, and we will continuously develop and implement specialized policies that support the social participation of those in their 50s and 60s.
Third, we will thickly fill citizens' daily happiness.
Including Seolbong Park renovation, seven neighborhood parks, seven sports facilities, and urban forests and children's parks, we will ensure that the urban environment where nature, leisure, and culture permeate is fully realized in the lives of citizens.
Where buses cannot reach or operating hours are limited, we will connect seamlessly with smart buses and hope taxis to complete Icheon's public transportation, and develop six public parking lots throughout the city to completely relieve parking inconveniences in downtown areas.
We will strengthen transportation rights for students and the elderly through transportation fare support, and more firmly protect citizens' safety through smart safety networks such as intelligent video analysis and automatic alerts.
Furthermore, we will steadily realize sustainable urban environments through renewable energy transition, expansion of hydrogen charging stations, distribution of eco-friendly vehicles, and improvement of aging water and sewage facilities.
Respected citizens!
A city that hesitates at change remains in the past,
while a city that pursues change leads the future.
In 2026, I believe this year will be a time when our Icheon achieves another unbelievable miracle.
I believe and trust that citizens' daily lives will become warmer, the city's tomorrow will become brighter, and countless happiness will bloom within it.
To make that belief reality, I will undertake new challenges this year.
Sometimes learning again in the face of difficulties, sometimes boldly stepping onto unfamiliar paths, I will run more fiercely toward Icheon's future.
In the hopeful year of 2026, I will write a new history of Icheon with you, our citizens.
Citizens and public officials!
I wish that all 365 days and every moment be filled with endless happiness.
Wishing you a happy new year.
Thank you.
Loading comments…