Kim Gyeong-hee, Mayor of Icheon, "Rural Quality of Life Evaluation Ranks First Nationally for Two Consecutive Years"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Mayor Kim Gyeong-hee of Icheon City held a press briefing on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the 8th popular election term, explaining the achievements of the past three years and announcing that Icheon City is growing into a pleasant city by ranking high in various evaluations.

On the 3rd anniversary of the 8th popular election term, Mayor Kim held a press briefing on the 8th at the Icheon City Hall conference room with reporters and city department and division heads in attendance. He stated, "Since taking office, we have faced many challenges including a sharp drop in rice prices, the discontinuation of general transfer payments, and the discovery of insects in tap water. However, our citizens have stood by us and supported us at each step, allowing us to find new breakthroughs and solve many problems," explaining the achievements of the three years of the 8th popular election term.

He further emphasized, "Following the 8th place ranking in the sustainable city evaluation announced by the Korean Local Government Institute, Icheon City was selected as the first place nationally for two consecutive years in the rural quality of life evaluation announced by the Presidential Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Affairs, and received the 'highest grade' in the 2025 national local government leaders' pledge fulfillment evaluation announced last month."

Mayor Kim also stated, "Despite being subject to natural conservation zone regulations, Icheon City has maintained the top employment rate in Gyeonggi Province for several years, with per capita Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) recording approximately 2.7 times the average of rural-urban composite cities and fiscal self-reliance 2.1 times higher," emphasizing, "In the remaining one year ahead, without being complacent with reality, I will do my best every day to create a city where citizens' lives are comfortable and happy, and a pleasant and safe city."

He continued, "Since the start of the 8th popular election term, Icheon City has established an Advanced Future City Promotion Division and is making efforts to discover advanced industries centered on semiconductors including artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and defense industries. The city has established the Semiconductor Solutions Center, Semiconductor Human Resources Development Center, and a semiconductor contract department at Icheon First High School to nurture field-oriented professionals. In particular, by providing subsidies of up to 3 billion won to companies with investment costs exceeding 20 billion won, we are redirecting the footsteps of departing companies and redoubling efforts to attract new businesses."

Mayor Kim also stated, "We are working to expand drone and defense industry infrastructure together with regional military units," emphasizing, "Going forward, I will activate the operation of task forces (TF) for business attraction and investment promotion, provide customized business services, and create Icheon City overflowing with jobs."

Mayor Kim also said, "The demand-responsive 'Smart Bus' introduced early has surpassed 610,000 cumulative users last year, greatly improving public transportation convenience. The rapidly constructed intelligent transportation system reads traffic flow, reduces travel time, and creates a safe transportation system. In the 2030s, Icheon City will witness a historic moment when the north-south railway extending from Seoeo to Geoje and the east-west railway connecting from Pyeongtak to Gangneung meet in Icheon," declaring, "I will do my best to ensure that Icheon City stands as a hub of railway transportation."

Regarding customized welfare policies for people-centered living economy, he stated, "I will more speedily promote customized welfare policies that all generations enjoy together, balanced development where rural and urban areas grow together, expansion of advanced industry infrastructure and practical improvements in transportation infrastructure, and key projects for leaping forward as a culture and education city."

Meanwhile, Mayor Kim announced successive achievements including ▲construction of an advanced industrial city overflowing with jobs ▲a welfare city where everyone is happy with 24-hour child care centers ▲an education city realizing equal learning opportunities represented by the recruitment of a science high school ▲a city full of opportunities for young people ▲creation of pleasant and safe urban environments including Seolbong Park forest plaza, improvements to Bunsugae crossroads, waterside park camping sites, and swimming areas ▲creation of an attractive cultural tourism city represented by new cultural content including Haewol Animation Festival and Icheon Pet Festival, among others.