New Year's Address Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myung-geun

Respected 1.04 million citizens of Hwaseong Special City! And beloved 3,000 public servants!

A special citizenry, a shining city—Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jung Myung-geun.

The new year of 2025 has dawned.

This is a meaningful first year as a special city.

Yet the sadness is still too great to convey greetings filled only with joy and hope.

I extend words of consolation to all those suffering from the tragic aviation accident, and I pledge that Hwaseong Special City will make citizen safety and life its foremost priority above all else.

As the sun rose majestically at the dawn of 2025, I wished for our future as Hwaseong Special City to shine as brightly as that rising sun.

And I sincerely hoped that this year would bring the fulfillment of every hope that each and every citizen cherishes.

I believe the birth of a million-resident special city through natural population growth will be unprecedented in the history of Korean cities.

The history that Hwaseong has created as a city of miracles, and the greater autonomous authority and elevated status given to Hwaseong with the launch of special city status, were made possible only because of our citizens.

Now Hwaseong Special City will make the lives of its citizens ever more special, and will ensure that the city we inhabit shines ever brighter.

Furthermore, we will perfect the values of a harmonious and sustainable city through infinite possibilities for the future and unceasing innovation.

Here, I wish to promise three goals.

[First. A 'Special City of Radiant Passion' with Good Growth.]

<First, I will create a 'city abundant with jobs and sharing prosperity.'>

By fostering both primary industries and cutting-edge industries, I will create quality jobs, and through the issuance of local currency on the nation's largest scale and financial support policies for small merchants and SMEs, I will create a truly prosperous city where all economic actors smile together.

<I will develop a 'tech hub city' that engages with the world.>

Centering on national future strategic industries such as semiconductors, mobility, and biotechnology, I will attract Korea's version of IMEC—the Semiconductor Research Center ASTC—and through venture business promotion districts, ensure that elite talent, research institutions, and global advanced enterprises

concentrate in Hwaseong to complete 'Hwaseong Technopol,' Asia's largest advanced industry cluster comparable to Silicon Valley.

<I will create a 'city of balanced development' for everyone.>

By promptly establishing district offices to provide development suited to the characteristics of each region and systematic administrative services, completing culture infrastructure projects ahead of schedule, and successfully developing the third new town and Songsan Green City, I will perfect a city of work, residence, and leisure that harmonizes and maintains balance.

[Second. A 'Special City Filled with Hope' where imagination becomes reality.]

<First, I will create an 'AI city' that ensures safety.>

Through an artificial intelligence integrated control system, I will protect citizens from crime and disaster, and through smart AI public services and AI expos, I will develop Hwaseong into the center of Korea's AI innovation.

<I will create a 'city full of rich history and culture and arts.'>

I will create premier culture and leisure spaces including the Hwaseong Arts Center, City Art Museum, a 17km West Coast Golden Coastal Road, a 680,000-pyeong Botanic Garden, and Hwaseong International Theme Park, and through Fusion Royal Tomb and the Hwaseong Independence Movement Memorial Hall and History Museum, I will establish cultural foundations and urban identity that connect past, present, and future.

<I will create an 'eco-friendly city' that respects biodiversity.>

I will systematically preserve and manage the West Coast where the National Geological Park and Hwaseong Lake Wetlands are located, and prepare an eco-friendly ecological city where nature and humans live together.

[Third. A 'Special City of Lifelong Enjoyment' where life shines.]

<First, I will realize a 'fair city.'>

I will guarantee the basic livelihood that everyone deserves, and will pursue fair, transparent, and trustworthy municipal administration that always considers the perspective of citizens.

<I will become an 'inclusive city' that supports all citizens.>

To create a city where not a single person is left out, I will strengthen the welfare safety net through life-stage-tailored welfare for all from children to the elderly, and will nurture future talent across all generations through lifelong education support.

<I will become a 'mobility city' that is fast and convenient.>

So that all citizens can enjoy lives without worries about transportation, I will realize the 30-minute inter-directional travel era through the construction of eight railway networks including GTX-A and trams and the completion of inner-ring roads.

Additionally, as Korea's only autonomous driving demonstration pilot city for future transportation, I will open new pathways for smart mobility technologies such as autonomous driving and urban air mobility (UAM).

Respected citizens of Hwaseong Special City!

'Hwaseong Special City' is a massive tree with roots formed by 1.04 million citizens.

Hwaseong, with its deep-rooted foundation, is ready to extend branches of prosperity toward greater heights.

This year's Chinese idiom is 'Geun-go-ji-yeong (根固枝榮).'

It derives from a line in the Yongbi-eocheon-ga, compiled during the reign of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty: 'A deep-rooted tree does not sway in the wind, and bears abundant flowers and fruit.'

At times, fierce winds will blow and barren seasons will come, but because we have the sturdy roots that are our citizens, Hwaseong Special City will grow without wavering.

I sincerely wish that this year will bring you greater happiness, better health, and greater prosperity.

Happy New Year.

Thank you.