Gwangyang City Selected Among Top Nationwide as a 'Great City to Live' by Citizens

Ranking of Social Safety Index in Four Areas Including Economic Activities... 29th out of 155 Cities and Districts, 1st in Jeonnam
Focusing Efforts on Creating a Self-Sufficient City Where Everyone from Children to Youth and Retirees Can Live Well

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Gwangyang City announced on the 8th that it was ranked 1st in Jeonnam and 29th nationwide as the best city for citizens to live in.

On the 4th, polling agency Case Stat Research and online panel survey company PMI, together with Money Today and Sungshin Women's University Data Science Center, jointly announced the selection of the "Korea Security Index 2021" for this year.

The Korea Security Index, announced for the first time this year, ranked cities based on government statistical data and resident surveys across four areas: economic activity, living safety, health care, and residential environment.

Among 155 local governments nationwide, excluding those with small sample sizes, Gwangyang City ranked 29th and was the only city in Jeonnam to be included in the top 30. Among cities and counties excluding special and metropolitan city seats, it ranked 10th.

The city is gradually upgrading the "Intelligent Selective CCTV Control System" to quickly respond to disaster risk situations and create a safe environment where citizens can live with peace of mind, establishing a smart safety city foundation. It is also implementing various safety policies such as the "Early Warning System for Disaster Risk Areas" and the "National River Smart Flood Management System" using ICT technology.

In the economic activity sector, despite the worst business sentiment due to COVID-19, the city signed MOUs and attracted investments worth approximately 1.3742 trillion won from 34 companies. It achieved significant results such as the completion of the "Gwangyang National Industrial Complex Myeongdang 3 District" and creating a business-friendly city linked with "Gwangyang Steelworks, Gwangyang Port, and Yulchon Industrial Complex," as well as job creation, resulting in high scores.

In particular, Gwangyang City has been making efforts to create the "No. 1 child-rearing city in Jeonnam" by operating the nation's first "Gwangyang City Children's Care Foundation" to implement customized childcare projects and providing one-stop childcare support services such as the "Comprehensive Childcare Support Center" and "Gwangyang I-Kium Center."

Additionally, as the first basic city and county to promote the "Youth Housing Loan Interest Support Project," it significantly reduced the housing cost burden for young people. It also operates the "Gwangyang Youth Dream Center" to strengthen the foundation for youth entrepreneurship and cultural activities, continuously investing in residential living environments, which has led to high citizen satisfaction.

Recognizing these efforts, last year the city was selected as an excellent institution, receiving awards such as the "National Local Government Job Evaluation Award," "Presidential Commendation for National Childcare Merit," "Excellent Institution Award for National Disaster Management Evaluation," and "Jeollanam-do Best Award for Birth and Population Policy."

Mayor Jeong Hyun-bok of Gwangyang City said, "It is quite meaningful that Gwangyang City was ranked among the top nationwide as a 'good city to live in' amid the nationwide population decline and the population decrease in Jeonnam," adding, "We will focus all our capabilities on creating a self-sufficient city where everyone from children to youth and retirees can live well and happily."

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