Dear 160,000 citizens of Uiwang! And beloved public officials of Uiwang!
The year 2025, the Year of the Blue Snake (Eulsa Year), has dawned.
Receiving the energy of the blue snake symbolizing 'wisdom and prosperity,' I hope that Uiwang will solve all matters wisely in the new year and become a prosperous year of greater development toward a premium city.
Last year, despite many difficult circumstances, our city resolved long-cherished community projects that citizens have desired for a long time and achieved significant accomplishments in improving citizens' quality of life.
These accomplishments are the result of active support from our citizens and the efforts of public officials, and I express my deepest gratitude to all for this.
Dear citizens! And public officials!
On the 29th of last month, an aircraft crash tragedy occurred, and all citizens are beginning the new year with sorrowful hearts.
First, I extend deep condolences and comfort to the victims and bereaved families of the accident. Our city has also established a joint mourning hall so that citizens can participate in mourning.
In the new year, domestic political turmoil and uncertainty from abroad such as the change in the U.S. administration are expected to bring many difficulties across city administration.
Nevertheless, Uiwang will work together with approximately 1,000 public officials to prioritize the development of our city and improvement of citizens' quality of life, and we will do our best to maintain stable city administration.
As I hope 2025 will be a year to further solidify the foundation of premium city Uiwang, I will present the direction of this year's city administration and key projects.
First, we will advance toward a nature-friendly premium city with greater vigor.
For smooth promotion of the 'Uiwang Ojeon Wanggok Public Housing District' announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in November last year, we will actively consult with the ministry and Gyeonggi Province, and will make every effort to support related administrative procedures.
Additionally, we will actively support large-scale urban development projects being promoted throughout the city together with LH so they can proceed without disruption.
The Gocheon District and Chopyeong District are expected to be completed by the end of this year, and Wolar District and Cheonggyesan 2 District are being promoted with completion targets of 2026 and 2027, respectively.
We are also actively consulting with LH on district plans and regional transportation improvement measures for the Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan Public Housing District.
We will support 8 redevelopment projects and 2 reconstruction projects currently in progress so that urban environments can be improved swiftly.
Regarding the Jeon site relocation, we are continuing consultations with Jeon regarding development direction, and for the Naeson-dong Reserve Forces Training Ground facility relocation project, we are promoting a green belt management plan modification project.
We will proceed without disruption on the urban landscape improvement projects including the Donganyaang Substation interior greening and the Naeson-dong transmission tower underground burial project.
Furthermore, we plan to continue substantive review of development plans and implementation methods to develop the aging industrial areas of Gocheon and Ojeon-dong into smart cities.
Second, we will create an advanced self-sufficient city abundant with jobs.
Through continuous corporate recruitment linked to urban development, we will secure growth engines for our city and make great efforts to provide citizens with better job opportunities.
In the Ojeon Wanggok District, we will secure industrial sites as much as possible to establish the foundation of a self-sufficient city, and for the 'Poil Industrial Complex Development Project,' which will become a knowledge industry belt connecting Gwacheon and Pangyo, we will actively work on feasibility review and green belt deregulation and project zone consultations.
We will support small and medium enterprise development funds of 30 billion won to provide a foundation for corporate growth, and will support various technology development and overseas market development.
We will establish the 'Uiwang Industrial Promotion Foundation' to comprehensively support small and medium enterprises, and establish a 'Vocational Education and Training Center' so that any citizen can receive systematic vocational education.
To alleviate the difficulties of local small merchants, we will expand the scope of alley-type shopping street support and make efforts to provide customized consulting for strengthening self-reliance.
The 'Uiwang Dokkaebi Market,' where roof shade structures collapsed due to heavy snowfall last year, will be promptly restored and we will establish and implement measures to revitalize traditional markets.
In particular, since support for young people is a very important part that can lead to marriage and childbirth, we will expand support for young people and focus on discovering new projects.
Third, we will create a transportation hub city convenient for all citizens.
The double-track railway projects between Indeokwon and Dongtan, and between Wolgot and Pangyo, which began construction last year and are under way, will be closely monitored and actively supported to proceed as planned.
Furthermore, with the GTX-C Uiwang Station installation and operation agreement concluded in November last year, we will make efforts to ensure the successful attraction of a multi-modal transportation center at Uiwang Station in connection with the development of the three new towns of Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan.
The 'Uiwang Extension Plan of the Wirye-Gwacheon Line,' which was reflected in the 'Gyeonggi Province Railway Basic Plan' in March last year and received a green light, is expected to gain greater momentum following the announcement of the Ojeon Wanggok District.
We will maintain close consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to be reflected in this year's 'Fifth National Railroad Network Construction Plan.'
In addition, we will do our best to establish a systematic regional transportation system across Uiwang Station, including the addition of stations on the Indong Line. We will also make efforts to organically connect subway and city bus and express bus routes.
To create a safe and convenient traffic environment for residents, we will promptly establish the 'Connection Road between Poil Forest Village and Gwacheon Knowledge Information Town' and the 'Connection Road between Hageui-ro and Anyang-Pangyo-ro.'
The 'Baegun-ro Expansion' project, where congestion occurs frequently during commute hours, is planned to begin construction in early this year and be completed by 2026.
Additionally, we will actively promote the 'Cheonggyesan IC Suwon-direction entrance ramp installation' and the 'Ojeon-Cheonggyesan road opening' projects to enhance convenience of movement for citizens.
Fourth, we will leap forward to become a leading education city with the nation's highest standard.
The long-cherished integrated Naeson Middle and High School in the Naeson-dong area is introducing the IB program, an international standard educational curriculum, and is on the verge of opening in March this year.
The Baegun Lake integrated elementary and middle school began construction in October last year and is proceeding with a target opening of March 2026, which is expected to resolve students' commuting inconvenience.
The 'Uiwang Future Education Center' to be established in Naeson-dong will be a key hub for future education in response to the fourth industrial revolution, and we will promote it to begin construction in the first half of this year with a target opening in 2026.
Regarding the establishment of an independent Uiwang Office of Education, we have made significant efforts by supporting parent-led petition campaigns and submitting proposals to the Ministry of Education and Gyeonggi Province Office of Education.
As the Ministry of Education's recent announcement of institutional improvement plans has been made, the separate establishment is becoming concrete.
We will continue to support school facility improvements and childcare facility operating costs to provide diverse learning opportunities for students and create safe and comfortable educational environments.
To strengthen public aspects of childcare, we will expand the 'Uiwang-type Childcare Facility Support Project' and continue to promote the conversion of national and public childcare facilities.
Furthermore, we will continue to develop distinctive educational projects unique to our city such as the Uiwang Career and Academic Guidance Center, Mathematics Clinic Center, and Global Talent Center.
Fifth, we will create a culture, sports, and welfare city where all citizens enjoy happiness.
The Culture and Arts Hall, a long-cherished wish of cultural and artistic figures, began construction in February last year and full-scale work is underway.
The 'Baegun Lake Festival,' Uiwang's representative festival, and the 'Children's Railroad Festival' will be further substantiated to provide diverse enjoyment to citizens.
Baegun Lake Park will have a waterfront performance venue, multipurpose lawn plaza, and wildflower gardens created and opened in early this year. Wongsong Lake Park will be promoted to become a specialized premium lake park in connection with the development of the three new towns, and we will actively consult with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and LH.
Additionally, we will create a total of 22 barefoot walking trails throughout the city so residents can enjoy barefoot walking and health management near their homes, and we plan to newly establish 4 park golf courses.
The Wanggok-dong Baseball Stadium is under construction targeting completion in May this year, and for Cheonggyesan Soccer Stadium, we will implement administrative procedures targeting 2027 construction.
Furthermore, we will support the substantial operation of 3 healing retreats for the disabled and the 'Disabled Short-term Care Center and 365 Retreat' for families with developmental disabilities.
Sixth, we will create a safe urban environment for citizens.
We will respond proactively to wind and water disasters, extreme heat, and cold spells that are increasing due to recent abnormal weather, and will conduct ongoing inspections and risk assessments to prevent major accidents.
Furthermore, we will continue to expand CCTV and security lights so that women, the elderly and weak, and our children can live more safely.
To prepare for slope collapse on roads near City Hall, we will secure national funds and proceed with repairs and reinforcement. We also plan to promote the reconstruction of the 'Bugok Gwaseon Bridge,' which has passed 40 years.
We will make every effort to complete the 'Anyang Stream Local River Maintenance Project' to prepare for flooding and provide citizens with waterfront spaces by the end of this year.
For 29 local rivers and small streams within our city, we will create a pleasant river environment through ongoing inspections and dredging, and develop them as rest spaces for citizens.
Finally, we will expand citizen participation and realize open communication administration working together with citizens.
In establishing the 'Uiwang City 2045 Sustainable Development Basic Strategy,' we will actively reflect citizens' opinions and present a blueprint for our city's sustainable development.
Through 'Mayor's Office on the Go' and 'Administrative office Walking the Ground,' we will listen to diverse citizens' voices in the field and carefully observe what is needed.
The newly built Bugok Community Center in Bugok-dong will be developed as a communication space for local residents including child-related facilities and resident convenience facilities.
Through activating resident autonomy, we will establish a grassroots democracy foundation and make efforts to discover village projects that many residents can relate to.
Furthermore, we will maintain more intimate communication with citizens by utilizing bidirectional communication media operated by the city such as SNS channels, homepages, and YouTube.
Dear citizens! And public officials!
The new year 2025 will be a very important year for Uiwang to make a greater leap forward and welcome new changes.
Now that the groundwork for city development has entered the completion stage, we will successfully complete the large-scale urban development and double-track railway projects currently underway,
and will sprint forward with greater vigor to achieve innovative development in diverse fields including education, welfare, culture and arts, and job creation.
I ask for greater interest and support from all citizens so that Uiwang can stand tall as 'the most livable city in the nation' beyond the Seoul metropolitan area.
I hope that in the new year of Eulsa (2025), all of our citizens' wishes will be fulfilled, and that your homes will be filled with health, love, and happiness.
Thank you.