[New Year Interview] Kim Il-gwon, Mayor of Yangsan, Pledges Full Effort to Revive the Frozen Economy

Jobs Are the Best Welfare: Implementing Job-Centered Economic Policies

Mayor Kim Il-gwon responding at the 2021 non-face-to-face press conference in Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] “Rather than immediate achievements, I will place the value of future growth at the core of city administration and carry out citizen-centered governance,” said Kim Il-gwon, Mayor of Yangsan City, as he made this pledge for the New Year of the Year of the Ox.

Mayor Kim stated that this year’s administrative direction will focus on a vibrant economy, happy education, warm welfare, a pleasant city, and communicative administration.

He expressed his plans and aspirations for this year, emphasizing efforts to enhance Yangsan City’s brand value and achieve a leap forward through job creation and regional economic revitalization, building a happy city that is good to live in, providing warm welfare without blind spots, and creating a safe and growing city.

Below is a Q&A with Mayor Kim.

- What were the biggest achievements and regrets in the past year, which was more difficult than ever?

▲ We have made several achievements by proactively leading urban regeneration projects, which will be a major pillar of urban development.

In 2020, the Samho District (central urban area type, general project manager) Urban Regeneration New Deal project, the Junam District small-scale regeneration project, and the Junam District urban regeneration recognition project were consecutively selected in competitions, and a total of five urban regeneration projects are currently underway.

Although our city started a bit later than other cities in the field of urban regeneration, we take pride in having reached a nationwide level starting from 2020. This year, we will push forward the Sinpyeong District, Nambu District, and Mulgeum District urban regeneration projects even more innovatively.

While leading the administration during the 7th elected term, we have always strived for change and innovation, but looking back, there is still regret that we have not completely broken away from the framework of administrative customs in many areas. It is an uncomfortable truth, but there is a saying that civil servants must suffer for citizens to be happy. We will continue to break away from past wrong customs and pursue citizen-centered administration where citizens come first, not the perspective of civil servants.

- What projects will you focus on this year?

▲ Jobs and the economy. Soon, the expectation of vaccination will help with quarantine administration, but the local economy, which has been struggling for over a year, is another issue.

The city has set overcoming the local economic crisis in the ‘post-COVID-19 era’ as the top priority of administration and plans to implement job-centered economic policies with the belief that jobs are the best welfare.

In line with the government’s Korean New Deal policy, various projects to create good jobs will be continuously promoted, especially discovering on-site job projects for youth and middle-aged citizens, and supporting diverse social participation policies that citizens can feel and empathize with.

Additionally, the issuance amount of the Yangsan Love Card, which benefits small business owners and citizens alike, will be expanded to promote local consumption and revitalize the regional economy. Policies supporting small business development, traditional markets, and shopping districts will also continue to inject vitality into the stagnant local commercial areas.

Mayor Kim Il-gwon explaining about Yangsan city administration.

- Despite the era of low birthrate and aging population, what are Yangsan’s distinctive youth policies that make it known as a young city?

▲ The city recently established a basic youth plan and will actively promote youth policies starting this year. To support youth independence and healthy social entry, and to create a foundation where youth participate as the main agents in policy implementation, the ‘Yangsan City Youth Basic Plan (2021?2025)’ was prepared to present a blueprint for youth policies.

By August last year, a youth survey was conducted to understand the current situation and demands, and based on this, youth perspectives were incorporated into the basic plan. The vision of youth policy is ‘Confident youth dreaming boldly in Yangsan,’ and the goals are ‘Youth life with dreams and passion, youth welfare sharing happiness and joy, and a youth city created through communication and participation,’ focusing on supporting all aspects of youth life.

A particularly notable project is the ‘Youth Center Construction Project.’ After remodeling in the first half of this year, it is planned to be completed in the second half, becoming a hub space for youth where various capacity-building programs for independence and autonomous club and study activities can take place.

- Why has the budget ratio for education projects increased compared to last year?

▲ Under the administrative policy of ‘Happy Education’ during the 7th elected term, Yangsan City is expanding the education budget and promoting various educational projects. In 2021, based on past achievements, we plan to accelerate education projects in earnest.

The education budget is stipulated by the ‘Ordinance on Subsidies for Yangsan City Education Expenses’ to support at least 3% of local taxes. The city actually expands support to more than 5% annually for kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools, reflecting on-site demands of educational institutions and supporting various projects to enhance educational competitiveness.

In 2021, 17.3 billion KRW was allocated, which is about 6% of local taxes. Despite difficult financial conditions, this is an increase of 800 million KRW compared to 16.5 billion KRW in 2020 (initial budget). Even as the total budget size grows and expenditures increase in various fields, we recognize that children’s education is the most important project and are making every effort to expand the education budget.

- Lastly, what message would you like to give to the citizens?

▲ The New Year is a time when anyone can dream of hope and expect change. Although a difficult year is anticipated due to challenging domestic and international social conditions, now is the time to speak of hope.

The New Year is an ‘unopened gift.’ It is a gift of hope and love that no one knows. Let us embrace the great hope of the New Year in our hearts and move forward vigorously together throughout the year. Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Ox filled with hope and a tomorrow full of joy, and may health and happiness always be with every household.

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