Namyangju City Holds 2026 New Year's Ceremony…Begins Year with Tribute at Hyungchung Tower

[Suwon Ilbo=Um In-yong Reporter] Namyangju City held tributes at the Hyungchung Tower and Jeong Yak-yong's tomb site on the 2nd, then held a new year's ceremony at the City Hall Dasan Hall, officially beginning its 2026 duties.

This year's ceremony was organized to honor the noble spirit of fallen patriots on the new year, reflect on the legacy of Jeong Yak-yong, and reaffirm the commitment to clean city administration.

Prior to the ceremony, approximately 100 senior officials, including Mayor Ju Gwang-deok, attended the tributes and visited △Hyungchung Tower △War Heroes Tower for Korean War Veterans △Marine Corps War Monument △Jeong Yak-yong's tomb site in sequence.

At Jeong Yak-yong's tomb site, Mayor Ju performed flower offering and incense ritual, followed by all senior officials observing a moment of silence to honor Jeong Yak-yong's spirit of caring for the people and his clean leadership.

They then reaffirmed their responsibility and role as public officials through the 'Our Resolution' read by the Director of Planning and Coordination.

The new year's ceremony at Dasan Hall commenced with performances of 'I Am a Butterfly' and 'Namyangju Picnic' by the Namyangju City Choir, followed by Civil Administrator Huh Jung-yun of the Wastewater Treatment Division reading the Public Officials' Charter, conveying the commitment to prioritize public interest and integrity as a servant of citizens.

Mayor Ju Gwang-deok then delivered his New Year's address, and a video message featuring an AI-based Jeong Yak-yong character attracted the attention of staff members.

Won Gyeong-hee, City Spokesperson, stated, "The 2026 new year's ceremony served as an opportunity to reaffirm our sense of duty as public officials and the value of integrity," and added, "We will continue to do our best for citizen-centered, fair and transparent city administration."