Editorial Anseong's Women-Centered Administration Cannot Be Stopped Even by the Scorching Heat
Kim Bo-ra, the Anseong city mayor who has set a record as 'South Korea's first three-term female city mayor,' is leading Anseong's administration with a core policy of a balanced city where economic growth, social safety nets, environment, and future generations coexist. Building a 'robust economic growth' foundation, she aims to establish a 'dense social safety net' with no marginalized groups while pursuing 'ecological sustainability' to pass on to future generations.
Mayor Kim is advancing key priority projects including establishing a semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment specialization district and opening a new railway era. At the same time, she is not neglecting life-oriented policies that enhance citizens' safety nets and allow people to enjoy rest and culture in their daily lives.
After the recent rainy season ended and extreme heat with a perceived temperature exceeding 35 degrees Celsius continued, she instructed strengthening citizens' safety networks. In particular, she emphasized more careful management for health-vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
"Protecting citizens' lives and safety from the extreme heat is of paramount importance," and "Maintain a preemptive response system to minimize damage" were Mayor Kim's instructions.
Accordingly, 540 heat wave shelters are currently operating in Anseong City. In addition to senior community centers and eup-myeon-dong administrative welfare centers, NH Nonghyup Bank's Anseong branch offices have been designated as heat wave shelters. Along with this, a joint task force for vulnerable group protection and damage prevention from extreme heat is also in operation.
The city is also actively supporting citizens in getting through the summer. As summer begins in earnest and students enter vacation, free outdoor swimming pools are being operated and nighttime cultural events are being held in succession. From July 18 to August 16, free outdoor swimming pools were opened at Naehye Hall Plaza and Seoanseong Sports Center. (Weekdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Every Saturday: until 9 p.m.)
The swimming pools are equipped with convenient facilities including assembled pools, shade structures, and changing rooms. Qualified safety personnel are stationed at all times, and water quality management and facility safety inspections are conducted thoroughly. On July 17-18, the 'Tropical Night Anseong Culture Festival' was also held at Chilgok Lake Park, where visitors could enjoy water activities and cultural performances. Outdoor performances using the Chilgok Lake Park deck, a craft flea market, various experience programs, and SNS participation events took place, and citizens flocked to the event. Citizens' reactions were: "As prices continue to rise, taking a vacation has become burdensome, but I was happy to enjoy water activities and cultural performances without traveling far, spending a cool and leisurely summer night in the nearby city center."
Anseong City announced plans to continuously expand life-oriented policies. From core priority projects to citizens' safety, rest, and cultural life, Anseong City officials have no time to feel the summer heat.