[Editorial] Anseong City's Women-Led Administration Overcomes Even the Summer Heat
Mayor Kim Bo-ra of Anseong City, who has set a record as "South Korea's first female three-term city mayor," is once again leading Anseong's municipal government. Her core policy is a city where economic growth, social safety nets, environment, and future generations are in balance. Building on the foundation of "robust economic growth," she is establishing a "tight-knit social safety net" with no marginalized groups while aiming for "ecological sustainability" to pass on to future generations.
Mayor Kim is advancing core priority projects such as establishing a specialized industrial complex for semiconductors, materials, parts, and equipment, and opening a railway era. At the same time, she is not neglecting citizen-focused policies that strengthen public safety nets and allow residents to enjoy rest and culture in their daily lives.
Recently, after the rainy season ended and heat waves with apparent temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius continued, she instructed strengthening citizen safety measures. She particularly emphasized more careful management of vulnerable health groups including children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
"Protecting citizens' lives and safety from extreme heat is of utmost importance" and "maintain a proactive response system to minimize damage" were Mayor Kim's directives.
Accordingly, 540 heat wave shelters are currently operating in Anseong City. Senior centers and eup-myeon-dong administrative welfare centers, as well as NH Nonghyup Bank Anseong City Branch offices, have been designated as heat wave shelters. Additionally, a joint task force for vulnerable population protection and heat wave damage prevention is in operation.
The city is actively supporting citizens through the summer. As summer progresses and students enter their vacation period, free outdoor swimming pools are being operated and nighttime cultural events are being held in succession. From July 18 to August 16, free outdoor swimming pools opened at Naehye Hall Plaza and Seo-Anseong Sports Center (Weekdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Every Saturday: until 9 p.m.)
The swimming pools have convenient facilities including assembled pools, shade structures, and changing rooms, with qualified safety personnel stationed at all times, and water quality management and facility safety inspections are conducted thoroughly. On July 17-18, the "Tropical Night Visiting Anseong Culture Square" was held at Chilgok Lake Park, where citizens could enjoy water activities and cultural performances together. Outdoor performances using the Chilgok Lake Park deck, craft flea markets, various experience programs, and SNS participation events were held, drawing many citizens. "With rising prices making vacations burdensome, I was happy to spend a cool and relaxing summer evening enjoying water activities and cultural performances in the nearby downtown without traveling far," was citizens' response.
Anseong City announced plans to continuously expand citizen-focused policies. From core priority projects to citizens' safety, rest, and cultural life, Anseong City civil servants have no time to feel the summer heat.