Pohang Mayor Lee Gang-deok: "We Will Establish a Life Safety Net Responsible for the Entire Life Cycle"

Press Conference Marking the 2nd Anniversary of the 7th Elected Administration

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] "Rather than focusing on achievements, we aim to start a new two-year journey with reflections on shortcomings and regrets, along with continuous communication, empathy, and problem-solving on the ground."

On the 30th, Mayor Lee Gang-deok of Pohang held a press conference explaining the achievements of the first two years of the 7th local government term and future operational directions, stating, "The past two years were a period in which we achieved stable citizen life and Pohang's leap through change," and pledged, "We will overcome the COVID-19 crisis and revive the spark of economic vitality."

Mayor Lee cited the major achievements of the first two years as ▲the enactment of the Special Act on Earthquakes ▲blocking the regional spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) ▲expansion of the Greenway ▲Pohang-style urban regeneration through the fusion of city, culture, and marine elements ▲continuous selection as a national strategic special zone and attraction of large corporate investments.

In particular, he emphasized that through substantial annual support for R&BD (Research and Business Development) budgets linked to commercialization, a foundation was established to expand the future-oriented new industry ecosystem and improve the industrial structure toward a battery industry city in preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Additionally, he highlighted the establishment of a meticulous social safety net responsible for the entire life cycle from birth to old age, including living welfare and economic self-reliance foundations for vulnerable groups, as well as resolving welfare blind spots through the formation of customized welfare teams in towns, townships, and neighborhoods, thereby enhancing the city's value and citizens' happiness and satisfaction.

Mayor Lee stressed, "As concerns about the second wave of COVID-19 are becoming a reality, in the latter half of the 7th local government term, we will devote all efforts to preventing external shocks caused by COVID-19 and accelerating the recovery of the contracted local economy."

He introduced the key directions for the remaining two years of city administration as ▲providing practical relief for earthquake damage and laying the foundation for urban vitality ▲developing the national strategic special zone into a Pohang-style New Deal ▲promoting the Pohang-style Greenway as a representative model of the Green New Deal ▲creating a convergent urban regeneration framework ▲establishing a dense social safety net ▲strengthening competitiveness as a central city of the East Sea region.

Mayor Lee expressed confidence, saying, "Despite the COVID-19 crisis, we have been recognized as a nationwide model case through bold and proactive quarantine measures and post-COVID-19 responses," and added, "In the next two years, we will swiftly complete the core tasks of city administration on a solid foundation of quarantine."

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