Icheon Marks 30th Anniversary of City Status: A Leap Toward a New Hundred Years

[Suwon Ilbo=Um In-yong, Reporter] Icheon successfully held its '30th Anniversary of City Status Commemoration Ceremony' on the 24th at Icheon Art Hall's Grand Performance Hall, creating a harmonious gathering where citizens reflected on 30 years of achievements.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 1,000 people including Mayor Kim Gyeong-hee, National Assemblyman Song Seok-jun, City Council Chairman Park Myeong-seo, and citizens and public officials from all walks of life. The event commemorated Icheon's remarkable development since its elevation from a county (gun) to a city (si) in 1996, and provided a meaningful time to share future vision.

The event was divided into two parts. In Part 1, celebratory performances featured vocalist Choi Jung-won and Rim Park, followed by an elegant piano quintet performance, and then an enthusiastic stage by popular trot singer Shin Seung-tae, heightening the festive atmosphere.

In Part 2, the ceremony included △screening of a 30th anniversary commemorative video △commemorative address and congratulatory remarks △screening of congratulatory videos from international sister cities △commemorative performance with a fusion Korean music group and key dignitaries.

In particular, congratulatory messages from overseas sister cities maintaining friendly relations with the city reaffirmed Icheon's status as a global city.

The city also held a commendation ceremony for exemplary citizens and meritorious individuals who dedicated themselves to municipal development, expressing gratitude for their efforts.

Mayor Kim Gyeong-hee, through his commemorative address, stated: "I will work together with you toward a future where the daily lives of each and every citizen improve—a city where it is good to raise children, where the elderly are respected, where businesses grow and young people can pursue their dreams," and added: "I will do my best to ensure that 30 years of our footprints remain a proud history for our descendants a hundred years from now."

Meanwhile, in the lobby of the Art Hall, an exhibition titled 'Icheon Historical Records: Half a Century of County and City' featured 436 photographs showcasing the changes in Icheon's history, enriching the event and allowing citizens to reminisce about the past.

Additionally, △the health center provided a health check-in tour on the day of the event, offering various benefits that citizens could experience including foot ultrasound examination, blood pressure measurement, InBody scanning, posture measurement, and stress depression tests.

Furthermore, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of city status, the city designated February 23 to March 2 as a 'commemorative week,' during which △public parking lot usage fees will be reduced by 50% △16 public libraries will offer special loan of up to 30 books.