Special Interview Icheon Mayor Sung Soo-seok: "I Will Open 'Future Icheon' Through Semiconductor and Station-Adjacent Innovation"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] The ninth popular-election administration under Mayor Sung Soo-seok, a 'prepared problem-solver' carrying the dreams of 240,000 citizens, has opened its curtain.

Newly inaugurated Icheon Mayor Sung Soo-seok, who took office officially on the 1st, took his first steps as mayor by bowing deeply to citizens at his inauguration ceremony.

Rather than eloquent rhetoric or joy of election victory, Mayor Sung confessed heavily the weight of 'responsibility and mission,' saying, "From this very moment, I will no longer live a personal life," pledging his complete dedication to Icheon.

He, positioning himself as an 'ordinary son of Icheon' who grew up in Icheon's fields, emphasized that he understands deeply through his own body temperature the sighs of small business owners, the anxiety of youth, and the loneliness of elderly residents.

"I began in politics to become a shield protecting the lives of ordinary people rather than a holder of power," said Mayor Sung. We met with him to hear about the blueprint for Icheon's ninth popular-election administration and the specific implementation plans for core pledges.

- You placed 'true citizen sovereignty' front and center in your inauguration speech. What is your plan?

"We have gone through an era of confident civic spirit that protected democracy and daily life through the power of citizens. In the end, the owner of a city is not power but citizens. The ninth popular-election Icheon administration will create a structure where citizens' will becomes policy and their voices become administration. To this end, I will institutionalize the 'Citizen Governance Committee' and 'Citizen Participatory Budget.' Furthermore, I will operate 'Direct Text Message to the Mayor' allowing direct communication between the mayor and citizens, significantly lowering the barrier to communication."

- The top priority for the ninth popular-election Icheon administration is indeed 'economy and transportation.' What is your specific blueprint?

"We are now at a pivotal transformation where AI and semiconductors determine a city's destiny. Centered on SK Hynix, Icheon's heart, I will foster AI semiconductor specialists and build an advanced industry ecosystem by establishing semiconductor design research complexes and small-parts clusters. Along with establishing the 'Icheon New Industry Center,' which will become an incubator for startups, I will simultaneously pursue 'Sunshine Pension,' which shares energy transition profits with citizens, and expand local currency issuance to revitalize alley commerce.

In particular, I plan to significantly expand management of hazardous workplaces and worker support for the safety of working people. Transportation innovation is also urgent. I will push forward the connection of Icheon to the Yongin-Chungju Expressway and lead the early completion of Section 6 of the Seongnam-Janghowon Exclusive Automobile Road to resolve transportation neglect in the southern region. While expanding commute express buses, I will boldly distribute 'Smart Buses,' which had been concentrated in urban areas, to eup and myeon regions and increase shuttle buses to prioritize the mobility rights of rural residents."

- Citizens show keen interest in station-adjacent development plans and the establishment of 'Icheon Urban Development Corporation' to lead them. How do urban development and education policies work together?

"It is true that after the Gyeonggang Line opened, despite excellent infrastructure such as Icheon Station, Bufal Station, and Shindundoye Village Station being established, station-adjacent areas remained as simple residential areas. Now I will begin 'Station-Adjacent Renaissance,' transforming these places into complex hubs integrating jobs, commerce, culture, and transportation. To achieve this, I will promptly establish the 'Icheon Urban Development Corporation.' By having the public responsibly lead development, development profits will not leak to outside companies but will be returned entirely as the welfare and future assets of Icheon citizens, creating a virtuous cycle.

Additionally, I will create 'Icheon where people come for education' rather than 'Icheon where people leave because of education.' I will expand semiconductor and AI-focused education in partnership with SK Hynix and establish a Global Youth Dream Center. For rural areas with insufficient middle school education, I will short-term reasonably adjust school districts to secure special admission benefits, and long-term pursue the establishment of new middle schools. I will improve living conditions for teachers to attract top talent and prepare a provincial dormitory in Seoul for Icheon-origin students to ease the education expense burden on parents."

- What are your plans for 'secure welfare' encompassing from children to the elderly, 'future agriculture' which is Icheon's roots, and 'cultural city'?

"Welfare is a fundamental value that cities must provide. For dual-income households, I will operate 24-hour childcare centers by region, and will attract 'Moonlight Children's Hospitals' for nighttime and holiday pediatric care. I also plan to establish a public-military cooperation emergency medical hotline. For elderly residents, I will operate Icheon-style Care Net that upgrades senior centers to AI-based digital community spaces and increase customized jobs for people with disabilities.

In the cultural sector, I will introduce an artist registration system to expand support for local artists and foster village cultural planners so that culture becomes part of daily life. I will create a stay-tourism city by linking 100 themed experiential tourism content with tour buses and expand living sports spaces such as park golf courses.

Finally, Icheon agriculture is our precious tradition and core industry. I will expand agricultural opportunity income for farmers and fishermen and establish a dedicated eco-friendly agriculture department to provide 100% support for certification and consulting fees. I will expand eco-friendly school meals for military units and schools and establish an advanced agricultural products distribution center and Icheon rural revitalization support center to simultaneously secure smart agriculture and rural vitality."

- Finally, what would you like to say to Icheon City public servants and 240,000 Icheon citizens who will lead the ninth popular-election administration together?

"First, I urge our Icheon City public servants. Now we cannot remain in the familiar. Citizens are demanding faster change and higher levels of innovation. Choose innovation over convention and conduct sincere administration for citizens, not administration for reporting.

I will boldly grant you authority so you can fully display your capabilities and talents. You do the work. I, as mayor, will take responsibility for the results. Let us together make Icheon City Hall an organization most trusted by citizens, the cleanest and most competent organization.

And my dear Icheon citizens, I believe in the power of Icheon that has supported Korea's industry and the strength of you citizens who have risen again in every crisis. The ninth popular-election promises are not vague dreams but confident daily lives we will face soon if we join hands. I will not hide behind impressive slogans but will be rigorously evaluated only by implementation and results.

Open the path forward to Icheon's new future. I will be the first to run at the front of that path. Please join forces. I will vigorously open the most happiness-filled city in Korea where citizens become true owners and being an Icheon citizen becomes the highest source of pride, together with all of you."