[Special Interview] Mayor Sung Soo-seok of Icheon: "I Will Open the Door to 'Future Icheon' Through Semiconductor and Station District Innovation"

[News S=Reporter Eom In-yong] 'A prepared problem-solver' Sung Soo-seok has raised the curtain on the ninth term of his mayoral administration, bearing the dreams of 240,000 citizens.

Newly inaugurated Mayor Sung Soo-seok, who took office on the 1st, took his first steps as mayor by bowing deeply to citizens at his inauguration ceremony.

Mayor Sung, who confessed the weight of 'responsibility and mission' instead of grandiose rhetoric or joy at his election, pledged wholehearted dedication to Icheon, saying, "From this moment on, I will no longer live for myself."

Positioning himself as an 'ordinary son of Icheon' who grew up in the fields of Icheon, he emphasized that he feels deeply and intimately the sighs of small merchants, the anxiety of youth, and the loneliness of the elderly.

Meeting Mayor Sung, who says "I started politics to become a shield protecting the lives of ordinary people, not those of the powerful," we heard about the blueprint for Icheon city government in the ninth term and specific implementation plans for key campaign promises.

- You put 'true civic sovereignty era' front and center in your inaugural address. What is your plan?

"We have passed through an era of confident civic spirit in which we protected democracy and daily life through the power of citizens. Ultimately, the master of a city is not authority but citizens. The ninth-term Icheon city government will create a structure in which citizens' will becomes policy and their voices become administration. To this end, I will institutionally establish 'Citizen Governance Committees' and 'Citizen Participatory Budgeting.' Additionally, I will operate 'Direct Mayor Text Messages' for direct communication between the mayor and citizens, significantly lowering the threshold for communication."

- The top priority for ninth-term Icheon city government is indeed 'economy and transportation.' What is your specific blueprint?

"We are now in a major transition period where AI and semiconductors determine the fate of cities. Centered on SK Hynix, the heart of Icheon, I will cultivate AI semiconductor specialists, establish a semiconductor design research complex and small-to-medium parts and materials cluster to build an advanced industry ecosystem. Along with establishing the 'Icheon New Industry Center,' which will become an incubator for startups, I will simultaneously push forward with 'Sunlight Pensions' that share energy transition profits with citizens and expand local currency issuance to revitalize alleyway commerce. In particular, I plan to significantly expand hazardous workplace management and worker support to ensure the safety of working people. Transportation innovation is also urgent. I will promote the connection of the Yongin-Chungju Expressway to Icheon and lead the early completion of the 6th section of the Seongnam-Janghowon Motor-Only Road to resolve transportation neglect in the southern region. While expanding commuter buses to regional areas, I will boldly disperse the 'Smart Bus' that had been concentrated in urban areas to eup and myeon regions and increase circular buses to prioritize ensuring mobility rights for rural residents."

- Citizens' interest in station district development plans and the establishment of the 'Icheon Urban Development Corporation' to lead this is very high. How do urban development and education policies work together?

"It is true that after the opening of the Gyeonggang Line, despite excellent infrastructure like Icheon Station, Bubal Station, and Shindun Doyeochon Station being established, station districts remained as simple residential areas. Now I will begin 'Station District Renaissance,' transforming these areas into complex hubs where jobs, commerce, culture, and transportation converge. To this end, I will promptly establish the 'Icheon Urban Development Corporation.' By having the public responsibly lead development, development profits will not flow out to external companies but will be fully returned as welfare for Icheon citizens and future assets, creating a virtuous cycle. Furthermore, I will make Icheon 'a city people choose to come to, not one they leave for education.' I will expand semiconductor and AI-focused education linked with SK Hynix and establish a Global Youth Dream Center. For rural areas lacking in middle school educational facilities, I will temporarily adjust school districts reasonably to secure special admission benefits, and in the long term will pursue the establishment of new middle schools. I will improve living conditions for teachers to attract talented people, and prepare a provincial scholarship program in Seoul for Icheon native students to ease the educational financial burden on parents."

- What are your plans for 'Safe Welfare' encompassing everyone from children to the elderly, 'Future Agriculture' which is Icheon's roots, and 'Cultural City'?

"Welfare is a fundamental value that cities must provide. For dual-income families, I will operate 24-hour childcare centers by district, and will attract 'Moonlight Children's Hospitals' for nighttime and weekend pediatric care. I also plan to establish a civil-military cooperative emergency medical hotline. For the elderly, I will operate an Icheon-style Care Network that upgrades senior centers into AI-based digital community centers, and will increase customized job opportunities for people with disabilities. In the cultural sector, I will introduce an artist registration system to expand support for local artists and cultivate village culture planners so that culture becomes part of daily life. I will create a city that attracts tourists by linking 100 themed experience tourism content with tour buses, and will expand recreational sports spaces such as par golf courses. Finally, Icheon agriculture is our precious tradition and core industry. I will expand farmer and fisherman opportunity income and establish a dedicated department for environment-friendly agriculture to provide 100% support for certification and consulting fees. I will expand environment-friendly meals for military units and schools, and will establish an advanced agricultural and livestock distribution center and Icheon Rural Revitalization Support Center to secure both smart agriculture and rural vitality."

- Lastly, what would you like to say to Icheon city civil servants and 240,000 Icheon citizens who will lead the ninth-term city administration together with you?

"First, I urge our Icheon city civil servants. We can no longer remain comfortable with what we know. Citizens are demanding faster change and higher levels of innovation. Choose innovation over convention, and pursue sincere administration for citizens, not administration for reporting. I will boldly entrust you with the authority to fully develop your capabilities and talents. You do the work. I, as mayor, will take responsibility for the results. Let us together make Icheon City Hall an organization most trusted by citizens, the cleanest and most capable organization. And my dear citizens of Icheon, I believe in the strength of Icheon that has supported Korea's industry and the power of you citizens who have risen again through every crisis. The promises of the ninth term are not vague dreams but confident daily lives we will face soon when we join hands. I will not hide behind grandiose slogans but will be rigorously evaluated solely through practice and results. Open the path to Icheon's new future. I will run at the very front of that path. Join forces with me. I will vigorously open with you the Republic of Korea's happiest city where citizens are truly the masters and being an Icheon citizen becomes the greatest source of pride."