[Interview] Huh Seong-moo, Mayor of Changwon, "Smart Full-Speed Ahead for Livelihood Economy in Remaining Term"

Laying the Foundation for Rebounding as an Industrial City Focused on 'People' in All Municipal Policies
Clear Achievements Including Designation as a Small Giant R&D Special Zone and Tasks Such as Establishing Changwon National University

Heo Seong-mu, Mayor of Changwon. (Photo by Changwon City)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Choi Hyun-joo] “The situation of Changwon City, which began its 7th term of local government on July 1, 2018, was not easy. Due to the ongoing economic recession and the downturn of key industries, the clock of growth had stopped, and social problems deepened due to regional imbalances, generational conflicts, and polarization caused by wealth disparity. It was two years of utmost effort to enhance competitiveness through fundamental innovation in urban, social, and economic sectors and to create new hope based on Changwon’s intrinsic value.”

Despite long-term economic stagnation and crises such as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon has continuously strived to restore Changwon’s identity as an industrial city.

As a result, he smoothly accomplished ▲designation of the Small but Strong R&D Special Zone ▲designation of the Smart Unmanned Ship Regulatory Free Zone ▲activation of the New Southern Policy ▲promotion of the Materials Research Institute to research institute status ▲and smart modernization of the national industrial complex. Furthermore, he has officially begun laying the groundwork for creating new growth engines such as the 4th Industrial Revolution future growth power, promotion of Changwon’s special city status, and establishment of Changwon National University College of Medicine.

Mayor Heo’s 7th term is operated with the focus of all city administration directed towards ‘people’ and the single-minded determination to quickly recover Changwon amid crises. He even introduced himself as a salesman conducting city administration wearing sneakers instead of dress shoes. Ultimately, Mayor Heo’s Changwon emphasizes that people are the source and foundation of innovation.

Mayor Heo recalled, “With the promotion of the Materials Research Institute, we expect an influx of about 1,300 master’s and doctoral-level researchers by 2027, resulting in an economic ripple effect of at least 11 trillion won. To revive the local economy, which fell into stagnation due to the decline of related industries such as shipbuilding and automobiles, we have taken the lead in securing the competitiveness of key industries. As a result, the corporate investment attraction performance achieved over the past two years reached 2 trillion won, and export contracts to overseas markets hit a record high of 1.53 million dollars.”

Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon, who is actively participating in improving the water quality of Masan Bay. On the 17th of last month, Mayor Heo even swam in Masan Bay. (Photo by Changwon City)

Mayor Heo’s interests are not limited to the economy. He passed the central investment review for the construction of the Jinhae Cultural Center and library, a 12-year long-cherished project, and created a zip track as a new tourist attraction where visitors can experience the Jinhae sea with an extreme sensation. He also worked to complete the foundation of ‘livelihood economy’ policies, including expansion of baseball and ssireum (Korean wrestling) infrastructure, the nation’s first support for jeonse deposit return guarantee fees, interest support for newlywed couples’ jeonse loans, sabbatical leave system for childcare teachers, and citizen safety insurance.

Mayor Heo set the goal of realizing Changwon’s special city status in 2020 as the inaugural year and pledged to concentrate all capabilities to ensure that the full revision of the Local Autonomy Act is processed in the 21st National Assembly.

Mayor Heo said, “We will complete a global culture and tourism city, an inclusive welfare city, and a clean air ecological city. Based on these efforts, I promise to create a city with people and rest, leveraging the city brand value called Changwon.”

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