Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, Holds Press Briefing on the 2nd Anniversary of the 7th Elected Term

The Past Two Years Have Laid the Foundation for a New Suncheon Through Inclusion and Innovation
Creating a Happy City Where No One Is Left Behind and Everyone Thrives Together

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] On June 24, Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, held a session with the press corps in the city hall's main conference room to explain the achievements of the past two years since the launch of the 7th local government and the direction of city administration for the next two years.

Mayor Heo began the briefing with a greeting, saying, "Thanks to the active cooperation of the citizens, we are wisely overcoming the COVID-19 crisis," expressing gratitude to the citizens.

"The past two years have been a time to lay the foundation for a new Suncheon with the two wings of inclusion and innovation, and solving long-standing issues such as waste management and the Skycube problem together with the wisdom of the citizens is something worthy of good evaluation," he emphasized the significance.

During the two years of the 7th local government, Mayor Heo cited international achievements such as the designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the world's first Ramsar Wetland City certification, and being elected as the inaugural chair city of the Ramsar Wetland City Network. He also mentioned that hosting the '2019 Korea Balanced Development Expo' and the 'Urban Regeneration Festival' for the first time among basic local governments, and rising to the top city in Jeollanam-do in the March Ministry of the Interior and Safety population statistics, are recognitions of Suncheon as a strong small city with the capabilities of a metropolitan local government both domestically and internationally.

He also highlighted internal developments such as finalizing the location for the new city hall based on citizens' consensus, attracting the Jeonnam Provincial Government Eastern Branch Office to the Shindae area, inclusion of the Gyeongjeon Line electrification project in the national railway network construction plan, and the launch of the Suncheon Cultural Foundation as green lights indicating Suncheon's rise as a center of administration, economy, and cultural tourism.

In particular, he introduced the 'Suncheon-style Kwonbun Movement,' started with citizen donations to overcome COVID-19, as a nationwide model for disaster recovery and a representative case demonstrating the high level of civic power and community spirit of Suncheon citizens.

Mayor Heo then expressed his ambition, saying, "In the next two years, we will focus on the environment and people, protecting the environment while growing the economy, and transforming Suncheon into an ecological economy city where well-preserved ecology fills the citizens' pockets."

As key strategies, he proposed promoting the '3E Project,' which connects Suncheon's strengths in education and ecology to regional economic vitality, and hosting the 2023 Suncheonman International Garden Expo based on the 'Green New Deal' that transforms the entire city into a vast forest and garden, combined with the 'Digital New Deal.'

He also announced plans to create a marine ecological tourism belt centered on Waon and Hwapo beaches, complete and operate Suncheonman Job World, and prepare future food sources through the Namhaean fermented food industry support center, magnesium commercialization support center, and the establishment of an urban high-tech industrial complex.

Additionally, he set as major tasks the harmony between the old and new downtown areas through urban regeneration and the creation of a balanced living environment between rural and urban areas.

Mayor Heo stated, "During my tenure as mayor, I have been deeply moved by the citizens of Suncheon and admired their civic power," and added, "I will build a happy city where no one is left behind and everyone prospers together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.