Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun: "I will make Suwon an 'advanced scientific research city'"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeong Jun-seong] Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "I will make Suwon an 'advanced scientific research city'."

On the 6th, the mayor held a New Year's briefing in the city hall conference room and announced, "We will promote the 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' and 'Topdong Innovation Valley' projects that will be the first step in creating an advanced scientific research city," adding, "I will make Suwon an advanced scientific research city where high-tech companies such as AI, semiconductors, and biotechnology gather."

The mayor also announced plans for 'spatial transformation' that will reorganize the urban space structure centered on railroad stations. Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "We will promote the 'Suwon-style station-centered complex development activation project' centered on railroad stations," and added, "This year we will conduct pilot projects in station-centered areas of eight railroad stations."

Last year, the city created guidelines for the Suwon-style station-centered complex development activation project, and plans to establish a master plan this year. To rapidly promote the projects, the city will pursue related ordinance enactments and amendments.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun stated, "This year's top priority is reviving the struggling livelihood economy," and added, "I will devote all efforts to revitalizing the livelihood economy and turn crisis into opportunity."

To revitalize alley commerce, the city expanded the Suwon Pay recharge limit to 500,000 won and the incentive to 10% this year. For January and October when Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays fall, the incentive was increased to 20%. The January incentive budget was exhausted early on the first day of the new year.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun announced, "So that more citizens can receive incentives, I will invest an additional 5 billion won in budget and provide 20% incentives again starting at 9 a.m. on January 24."

The city also presented maintenance plans for Suwon's four major rivers: Suwon Stream, Seoho Stream, Woncheonri Stream, and Hwangguji Stream. The plan includes maintaining walking paths and restoring river ecology to create recreation spaces where citizens can enjoy leisure and cultural activities.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun also stated, "I wish peace for those who lost their lives in the aviation disaster," and added, "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families."

[Suwon Special City 2025 New Year's Briefing] Full Text

- Realizing Suwon's Transformation that Citizens Can Feel -

Respected citizens of Suwon Special City and members of the press!

Hello. I am Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun.

The new year of Eulsa has dawned. Wishing you all a happy new year!

It has now been two years and six months since the launch of the 8th civil-elected Suwon Special City.

I have organized this meeting to share the direction of 'Suwon transformation that citizens can feel' and to communicate with you all.

I thank everyone who has joined us.

Late last year, there was an unfortunate aviation accident in which 179 people lost their lives.

I wish peace for the deceased.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

It has been a month since the emergency martial law incident.

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are still suffering.

Depressed consumer sentiment has made alley shops quiet.

The exchange rate has skyrocketed, causing difficulties for companies importing raw materials.

The livelihood economy is on the brink of collapse.

The top priority this year is revitalizing the livelihood economy

This year's top priority is to revive the collapsed livelihood economy.

And to realize Suwon's transformation that citizens can feel.

In December, we announced measures to revive the livelihood economy.

First, we allocated 41.1 billion won in Suwon Pay incentive budget to significantly increase incentives.

The Suwon Pay recharge limit has been expanded to 500,000 won, and the incentive to 10%.

For January and October when Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays fall, we increased it to 20%.

With citizens' enthusiastic response, the January incentive budget was exhausted early on the first day of the new year.

Many citizens must have been disappointed not to receive incentives.

Therefore, to enable more citizens to receive incentives, I will invest an additional 5 billion won in budget.

Starting at 9 a.m. on January 24, I will provide 20% incentives again.

The local employment budget of 545 billion won is being implemented for early execution.

We have provided 100 billion won in emergency financing to halve interest costs for small and medium enterprises.

We have organized an 'Emergency Livelihood Economic Stabilization Measures Task Force'.

If crisis situations occur, we will respond swiftly.

Despite the unsettled national situation, we will take responsibility for the livelihood economy without wavering.

Suwon has become a better place to live

Last year, the Korea Local Government Institute conducted an evaluation of sustainable cities.

Suwon was selected as the '2nd best city to live in' among cities nationwide.

I am pleased that our hard work to create a new Suwon has been recognized.

This year, we will make further efforts to rank first.

Recently, the National Tax Service disclosed the 2024 fourth quarter national tax statistics.

The average total salary of Suwon workers was 60.74 million won, ranking 4th among 226 basic municipalities nationwide.

While the national average is 43.32 million won, Suwon's is 1.4 times higher.

By creating an advanced scientific research city, we will create quality jobs.

As job quality improves, worker income will continue to increase.

We are building an integrity-focused city

In December, in the 2024 public institution integrity evaluation conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, we received a comprehensive integrity rating of Grade 2.

Since there is no municipality in Suwon's group that received Grade 1, Grade 2 is the highest rating.

We worked hard with civil servants to improve integrity and achieved good results.

We will continue efforts to create a livable, integrity-focused city.

The 'New Radiance' series has become the driving force for a new Suwon

The 'New Radiance' series, the policy brand of the 8th civil-elected Suwon, is becoming the driving force for creating a new Suwon.

With the case of veteran civil servants at New Radiance Civil Complaint Center, we received the Presidential Award in the 'Comprehensive Evaluation of Active Administration by Local Governments for 2024' conducted by the Ministry of Interior and Safety.

Benchmarking by local governments and organizations across the nation continues.

New Radiance Talk-Talk surpassed 100,000 subscribers and established itself as a forum for civic discourse.

Ajou University and Kyonggi University's Public Administration departments have also opened classes using New Radiance Talk-Talk.

Suwon Enterprise New Radiance Fund has surpassed 315 billion won in establishment amount and 17.5 billion won in Suwon enterprise investment.

New Radiance House, which supports home repairs in low-rise residential areas, has achieved 1,000 units.

Realizing transformation that citizens can feel

We will achieve 'Suwon transformation' that citizens can feel.

We will advance toward Suwon's transformation focusing on three major goals of economic transformation, spatial transformation, and lifestyle transformation, and six strategies: balanced growth future city, active local commerce protection city, safe and convenient transportation hub city, resident participation complex development creative city, livelihood care city, and city of culture and enjoyment.

Suwon will be reborn as an advanced scientific research city

Suwon's future is an 'advanced scientific research city'.

The 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' and 'Topdong Innovation Valley' projects, which will be the first steps in creating an advanced scientific research city, will be promoted in earnest.

On December 13 last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport conditionally approved the 'Suwon urban management plan decision (amendment) on partial release of the greenbelt area'.

The 'Suwon R&D; Science Park development project' took its first step 12 years after its initial planning.

After the launch of the 8th civil-elected term, we re-implemented all administrative procedures including strategic environmental impact assessment and business feasibility reassessment and coordinated with relevant government ministries.

The 'Suwon R&D; Science Park' is a project with guaranteed success.

Advanced research companies including R&D;, ICT (information and communications), semiconductor, BT (biotechnology), and NT (nanotechnology) companies are planned to be housed.

We will faithfully implement the conditions set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as approval requirements.

We will create a state-of-the-art R&D; Science Park.

The 'Topdong Innovation Valley' development project involves creating a high-tech business complex-focused complex office district in the Topdong area.

In March, we will begin land sales after implementation plan approval announcement.

We will break ground this year.

We will promote development without disruption and attract advanced companies focused on R&D.;

Centered on Suwon R&D; Science Park and Topdong Innovation Valley, Suwon will finally pursue the creation of a 'Suwon Economic Free Zone' with a scale of 1 million pyeong (3.3㎢).

After the designation of the first-phase 1 million pyeong Suwon Economic Free Zone, in the second phase we will create an economic free zone centered on research functions by combining the Seoho and Gosaek districts with a scale of 2 million pyeong (6.6㎢).

We will create a Korean version of Silicon Valley with a total scale of 3 million pyeong (9.9㎢).

We will make Suwon an 'advanced scientific research city' where advanced companies such as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, IT, ET (e-commerce), and NT gather.

The spatial structure will dramatically change through complex development around 22 railroad stations

Suwon's spatial structure will change dramatically.

Spatial transformation that citizens can feel will be realized.

The foundation of spatial transformation is the railroad network.

The Dongtan-Indeokwon Line double-track railway construction project is scheduled for completion in 2028, and the Sinbundang Line Gwanggyo to Homaesilsection construction project is scheduled for completion in 2029.

The Suwon-based KTX is planned to open in 2026 after completion.

The GTX-C line is being promoted with the goal of completion in 2028.

In November last year, we submitted a 'petition for priority consideration of Gyeonggi Southern Metropolis Railway' to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

We will make efforts to ensure that the Gyeonggi Southern Metropolis Railway is reflected in the 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.

We will revise land use plans to enable high-density complex development using areas around railroad stations with high development demand.

Currently, Suwon has 14 subway stations.

When all metropolis railroad network construction projects are completed, it will increase to 22.

Centered on 22 railroad stations,

We will promote the 'Suwon-style Station-Centered Complex Development Activation Project'.

This year, we will conduct pilot projects in station-centered areas of eight railroad stations.

Station-centered railroad development will be a catalyst for the rebirth of Suwon.

It will also serve as a model for a 'compact city' where residential spaces, cultural facilities, commercial facilities, and more are concentrated and everything can be resolved within.

Station-centered development takes place within 300 meters of the railroad station platform center.

We will promote three types: urban complex type, employment type, and livelihood-oriented type.

Last year we created guidelines, and this year we will establish a master plan.

To promote projects swiftly, we will pursue related ordinance enactments and amendments.

We will encourage private sector participation in station-centered complex development.

We will reorganize the urban spatial structure centered on railroad stations and implement spatial transformation.

Suwon's four major rivers will change dramatically.

Suwon will be reborn as a more attractive city.

Suwon's four major rivers that citizens frequently visit—Suwon Stream, Seoho Stream, Woncheonri Stream, and Hwangguji Stream—will change dramatically.

We will make it a place citizens can visit anytime easily.

We will create it as a recreation space where people can enjoy leisure and cultural activities.

We will improve walking paths and access roads to rivers.

We will create beautiful rivers that are pleasant to walk in.

We will also expand green spaces and create habitats for animals and plants.

By restoring river ecology, we will create an urban ecological river where bees and butterflies fly.

By October this year, we will establish a master plan for maintenance of the four major rivers.

First, we will start with Suwon Stream.

Starting with maintenance of the 1.4㎞ section from Guucheon Bridge to Yucheon 2 Bridge, we will gradually refurbish the four major rivers.

We will make the four major rivers into landmark-style waterfront urban parks where citizens, nature, and the city are harmonized.

Living environment transformation that citizens can feel will begin.

Suwon New Radiance Care targets will expand and support will be more substantial

We will further expand Suwon New Radiance Care services and targets.

Support will be more substantial, caring for the lives of more citizens.

We will expand the support standard from 75% of median income to 120% or less.

Support amount has increased from a maximum of 1 million won per person annually to a maximum of 1.5 million won.

Care services will increase from five to seven with the addition of rehabilitation care and residential safety.

The 'Suwon New Radiance Care meal delivery service', which is receiving good response from citizens, will more than double the number of beneficiaries.

We will provide higher quality meals.

We will promote Suwon's charm to the world

Suwon City and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will co-host the '2025 Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly'.

The general assembly will be held at Suwon Convention Center and throughout Suwon in late May.

After being selected as the host city, we have been preparing meticulously by organizing a task force.

Approximately 10,000 people from over 20 Asia-Pacific countries will participate in this general assembly.

We will operate diverse programs to promote Korea's ITS technology and showcase Suwon's charm.

We will make this an opportunity to promote Suwon throughout the world.

We will remember independence activists and devote efforts to local decentralization

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of liberation and the 30th year of the local autonomy system.

We will hold planned exhibitions highlighting Suwon's independence activists, academic symposiums, and events during Liberation Day week.

We will remember independence activists together with citizens.

We will devote more effort to local decentralization.

Local decentralization must be properly implemented with increased local government authority.

With expanded authority, we can improve excessive regulations by the central government that hinder regional growth.

We will turn crisis into opportunity

The aftermath of the 12.3 emergency martial law incident and aviation disaster continues.

The entire nation of South Korea is in downturn.

It appears it will take a long time for the livelihood economy to fully recover.

We will turn crisis into opportunity.

To revive the livelihood economy, I will devote all the capacity I have.

With the spirit of 'unity of purpose' (同舟共濟), I will cooperate and coordinate with citizens.

We will certainly overcome the current crisis.

I ask for your trust in Suwon City and cooperation from civil servants and civil society.

2025 will be the year when 'a new Suwon, radiant citizens', which I promised upon taking office as the 8th civil-elected Suwon City Mayor, is completed.

We will make the phrase "Suwon really is a great place to live" heard everywhere.

We will create 'Suwon transformation that citizens can feel'.

Together with citizens, we will take step by step toward 'citizen-felt Suwon transformation'.

Thank you.