Mayor Park Seung-won of Gwangmyeong: "Together with Citizens, We Will Create a Better Gwangmyeong and Concrete Change"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Yu Je-sung] Mayor Park Seung-won of Gwangmyeong revealed his 9th civilian-led administration's vision to create a better Gwangmyeong and concrete change together with the great citizens.

At the inauguration ceremony for the 20th Mayor of Gwangmyeong held at Gwangmyeong Citizens Sports Complex on July 1st, Mayor Park stated, "Over the past eight years, together with citizens, we have proven new possibilities of capable local government by creating a 'citizen-sovereign city' and a 'people-centered city,'" and emphasized, "In the coming four years, centering on citizens, we will design a future of 100 years where all are happy and all live well under the values of livelihood, peace, and solidarity."

He continued, explaining that "'Livelihood' is a realistic value that protects our precious lives, 'Peace' is a future value that allows us to dream of tomorrow by protecting peace in daily life, and 'Solidarity' is a practical value that makes all of this possible," and stated, "Based on these three values of city governance, we will create a better Gwangmyeong and concrete change that citizens can feel."

To realize this, Mayor Park presented six major strategies as core measures: △A self-sufficient economic city embracing industry and jobs △Transportation innovation as a future growth engine △Balanced development where the original city center and new residential areas grow together △Realization of a first-rate basic society △Livelihood economic stability based on regional circular economy △A sustainable city where people and nature coexist.

First, the city will connect the Gwangmyeong-Siheung Techno Valley, the Gwangmyeong-Siheung Phase 3 New City, and the Global MICE Hub around KTX Gwangmyeong Station into a single growth axis to create a key economic hub in the southwestern metropolitan area where enterprises and capital gather and high-quality jobs are created.

The Gwangmyeong-Siheung Techno Valley will be fostered as a core industrial platform concentrating future advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and information technology (IT), with plans to strategically attract promising companies. The Gwangmyeong-Siheung Phase 3 New City will create a new growth axis where tourism, culture, and commercial functions converge centered on K-Arena, and will strengthen self-sufficient functions by pursuing designation as an economic free zone based on this. The KTX Gwangmyeong Station area will be fostered as a global MICE industry hub with international conference, exhibition, and accommodation functions.

The city will accelerate transportation innovation as well. By expanding public buses and major routes and introducing local circulation public shuttles, it will enhance citizens' daily transportation convenience.

It will promptly finalize the Sincheon-Haan-Shimlim Line and seamlessly advance expansion of the metropolitan transportation network including the Sinan Line, Wolgot-Pangyo Line, and GTX-D·G. At the same time, by improving Seoul direct access roads and expanding Gwangmyeong Bridge and Mokgam Bridge, it will enhance Seoul accessibility and internal connectivity, and by establishing futuristic transfer centers and introducing next-generation mobility services such as autonomous shuttle buses and robo-taxis, it will proactively respond to changes in future transportation environments.

Urban development is focused on the new residential area and original city center growing together. The key is to strengthen connectivity so that the Gwangmyeong-Siheung Phase 3 New City, Gwangmyeong-Siheung Techno Valley, and the original city center can develop in a mutually beneficial and balanced manner.

In the redevelopment and reconstruction process, the city plans to ensure sufficient essential infrastructure such as roads, water and sewage facilities, and parking lots, as well as quality-of-life facilities such as parks, libraries, and cultural and sports facilities to enhance residential conditions throughout neighborhoods. Additionally, a transparent management system will be established to reduce information asymmetry and unnecessary conflicts in maintenance projects.

The city will further advance basic society policies. Building on the foundation that Gwangmyeong has laid over the past eight years, it will organically link life-cycle-based basic services and basic income from infants to the elderly and integrated care to complete Gwangmyeong as the first-rate basic society where any citizen can continue a dignified life where they live.

In particular, administrative capacity will be concentrated on livelihood stability. Benefits of the Gwangmyeong Love Currency will be expanded through incentives and cashback, and vitality will be breathed into alleyway merchants through festival activation and delivery fee support. Additionally, the city plans to expand customized jobs by generation so that employment becomes the highest form of welfare.

The city will further strengthen the social solidarity economy. It will establish a Regional Economic Strategy Research Center and create funds to enhance policy expertise. By expanding public procurement and regional transactions, it will broaden the growth foundation for cooperatives and social enterprises. Through this, it plans to establish a Gwangmyeong-style regional circular economy where local assets and values circulate positively within the region.

The city will also strengthen policies for sustainable development where people and nature coexist. It will expand the 1.5°C Climate Volunteer movement, a citizen-led carbon-neutral action initiative, and plans to reflect climate responsibility in the budget and throughout the city. It will lead energy transition by increasing solar power plants and creating eco-friendly industrial complexes.

The city will establish an eco-friendly resource recovery facility and upgrade the recycling system, while continuously expanding urban gardens and green spaces such as Gahak Mountain Arboretum to realize a sustainable city where people and nature coexist.

Finally, Mayor Park emphasized the constitutional spirit that "all power derives from the people" and repeatedly stressed "city governance with sovereign citizens."

Mayor Park stated, "I will create a 'citizen's city of Gwangmyeong' where citizens freely enjoy their rights and all urban issues are discussed and resolved together with citizens," and promised, "With the conviction and resolve that we do not fail when we are together with citizens, I will run together with the citizens."

He further stated, "Rather than complacency that four years remain, with the urgency that only four years are left, I will devote my sincere effort to creating a Gwangmyeong where all citizens live well together and a Gwangmyeong that all citizens can be proud of as the home they will live in for life."