Esteemed citizens of Suwon Special City!
A hopeful new year of 2026 has dawned.
I wish that each citizen's daily life begins with small excitement and warm anticipation, and that health and happiness fill every household.
Throughout the past year, Suwon Special City has walked together with its citizens.
It is thanks to each and every citizen who participated in various policy projects for changes in daily life and did their best in their respective roles despite difficult economic conditions. I extend my sincere gratitude.
In 2026, Suwon Special City seeks to complete the foundation of a major transformation.
First, we will complete the foundation of the 'High-Tech Scientific Research City.'
In a city where advanced companies in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology gather, talented people will flock and bring vitality to the local economy and businesses.
Among the key projects of the 'Circular High-Tech Scientific Innovation Cluster,' Tapdong Innovation Valley and North Suwon Techno Valley will break ground this year.
Additionally, by adding the final designation of the 'Suwon Economic Free Zone' covering one million pyeong, we will accelerate the future of a high-tech scientific research city that can compete with the world.
Second, we will leap forward as a city of the world's three great festivals.
Suwon is Korea's representative city where the past, present, and future coexist.
We aim to implement an industrialization strategy for a 'Global Cultural Tourism City' that consolidates Korean pop, dramas, and food as a comprehensive 'K-Culture' model.
This year, marking the 230th anniversary of the construction of Suwon Hwaseong, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Suwon Special City will promote the '2026 Year of Visiting Suwon.'
Together with citizen-centered promotion committees and supporters comprised of people from all walks of life, we will create a new chapter for large-scale festivals, including Suwon's three major autumn festivals.
Third, we will protect citizens' livelihoods through the 'New Light Living Cost Package.'
Again this year, Suwon Special City will add policies that benefit citizens' daily lives.
We will launch support for first-born birth subsidies, universal menstrual product support for female adolescents (ages 11-18), bus transportation subsidies for youth (ages 19-23), people with disabilities, and seniors (70 and above), and prevention vaccination support for shingles (ages 65 and above, born in even-numbered years).
In addition, we will continue to expand innovative policies and initiatives such as the New Light Fund, New Light Care, New Light Talk, New Light Civil Services Center, and New Light House that contribute to citizens' lives.
In 2026, Suwon Special City will embark with the determination of 'Wanglae Jeongjung' (往來井井).
'The footsteps of those coming and going, growing Suwon Special City.'
This carries the meaning of establishing itself as a global cultural tourism city visited by people from around the world, and based on this, bringing greater brilliance to citizens' lives through economic revitalization they can feel.
The voice of citizens is the direction in which the city should move forward.
Beyond communication with citizens, we will decide and act together.
When we trust each other and join hands, the future of a warmer city will open.
Suwon Special City will take steps solely toward citizen happiness.
Citizen satisfaction, Suwon's great transformation! I will be with you, our citizens.