"All In on Restoring the People's Economy Next Year" … Lee Gang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, Delivers 2.4329 Trillion Won 'City Administration Speech'

Speech on Next Year's Budget at City Council... Original Budget Up 21.1% Compared to This Year

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] "Next year, based on the core values of 'stabilizing people’s livelihood,' 'economic vitality,' and 'securing sustainability,' we will strive to lead the post-COVID-19 era in Pohang, and furthermore, to develop Pohang as the central city of the East Sea region."

On the 30th, at the 2nd regular session of the 279th City Council, Mayor Lee Kang-deok delivered a policy speech stating, "During the COVID-19 situation, all citizens united as one to create a leading model of livelihood quarantine that balances daily life and economic activities," and emphasized, "We will turn the social and economic crisis caused by the infectious disease into an opportunity for change and continue to pursue changes and innovations necessary for survival."

Mayor Lee Kang-deok presented the 2021 administrative directions as follows: ▲ focusing on the recovery of the livelihood economy where quarantine and economy coexist ▲ fostering future new industries leading the 4th Industrial Revolution era ▲ building infrastructure to drive marine cultural tourism and logistics industries ▲ creating a sustainable ecological environment city ▲ completing a safe city and a happy city that embraces citizens’ lives.

First, by supporting an economic quarantine budget of 80 billion KRW, the city will promptly respond to the economic recession situation, while actively assisting the transition to non-face-to-face and online economies for small business owners facing difficulties, along with issuing 300 billion KRW worth of Pohang Love Gift Certificates.

Additionally, leveraging the Yeongilman Industrial Complex, Blue Valley National Industrial Complex, Convergence Technology Industrial Zone, and Jigok Valley?developed through continuous investment in future new growth industries?the plan is to open a new growth platform by fostering core new industries such as secondary batteries, bio-health industries, and hydrogen fuel cells.

In particular, Mayor Lee reiterated the commitment to securing continuous national funding so that the East Coast Transversal Bridge, a key connecting section of the Donghaean Expressway, can serve as an 'economic bridge' linking nearby industrial cities and Yeongilman Port logistics, as well as a 'tourism bridge' capable of attracting tourists to the East Sea region.

According to these 2021 administrative directions, the total budget proposal for Pohang City next year is 2.4329 trillion KRW, an increase of 21.1% compared to this year.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok emphasized, "To revive people’s livelihood, regional vitality, and prepare for the future of Pohang, we will prioritize investment in projects with high impact and urgency," and promised, "We will meticulously scrutinize and carefully execute every single budget item so that all citizens can directly feel the changes in their lives and enjoy happiness."

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