Hanam-si, Achieving Results Under the Banner of 'A Livable City, a Leap Forward Hanam'

Teenage Municipal News Announcement

Gyeonggi Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyun-jae) has implemented a roadmap to leap forward as a global self-sufficient city by actively advancing the Camp Colbern urban development project and the K-Star World creation project this year. Looking back on the year 2024, the Year of the Dragon, we highlight the top 10 municipal news stories that produced achievements under the banner of “A Livable City, A Soaring Hanam.”

◇ Smooth Progress of Camp Colbern and K-Star World... Strengthening Self-Sufficiency Functions Using Future-Oriented Advanced Industries and K-Culture

Camp Colburn Urban Development Project and K-Star World Construction Project in Full Swing. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City has intensified efforts on the Camp Colbern urban development project and the K-Star World creation project with the goal of building a global self-sufficient city. The Camp Colbern urban development project is an urban development initiative to create a convergence complex that strengthens Hanam’s self-sufficiency functions, including future-oriented advanced industries, on the approximately 250,000㎡ site of the returned U.S. military base in Hasangok-dong. Hanam City and Hanam Urban Corporation announced a public recruitment notice for private participants in the “Camp Colbern Complex Self-Sufficient District (tentative name) Urban Development Project” in December this year, accepting designation applications and business plans until March 24 next year. Efforts are also accelerating for the K-Star World creation project. In November this year, a preliminary briefing session for private business operators was held at COEX in Seoul, attended by major domestic construction companies, securities firms, and related organizations. Hanam City plans to prepare a draft of the private business solicitation guidelines in the first half of 2025 and conduct the private business operator recruitment in the second half.

◇ Mayor Lee Hyun-jae, ‘Hanam City’s First Salesman,’ Actively Attracts Companies... Groundbreaking of Sungwon Adpia Co., Ltd. New Headquarters

'The 10th Jipconomy Expo 2024' event. Provided by Hanam City

Mayor Lee Hyun-jae transformed into “Hanam City’s first salesman,” promoting Hanam’s urban development projects to domestic and international companies and investors while putting full effort into attracting corporate investment. Notably, at the “10th Jipconomy Expo 2024” held at COEX in Seoul in September this year, he actively requested support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City to ensure the successful promotion of the Camp Colbern and K-Star World projects, eliciting positive responses. Additionally, various incentives were provided to attract companies, and administrative and financial support measures were established, including a one-stop corporate civil service to shorten administrative procedures. As a result of these efforts, Hanam achieved the remarkable feat of attracting the Korea Franchise Industry Association, which has about 1,400 member companies and total sales of 12 trillion KRW. Furthermore, Sungwon Adpia Co., Ltd., the top printing company in Korea, was designated as the “first company for one-stop corporate civil service,” and its new headquarters was established in Hanam. Other achievements include attracting mid-sized companies such as Seohui Construction, the R&D center of Kane and Roger Nine, producers and sellers of PXG golf products, BC Card R&D center, Lotte Medical Foundation Bobath Hospital, and Dow Industrial Development.

◇ Hanam City Ranks First Nationwide in Comprehensive Civil Service Evaluation... First Ever Certification of National Happiness Civil Service Office Since Establishment

Hanam City Ranks First Nationwide in Comprehensive Civil Service Evaluation. Photo by Hanam City

In April this year, Hanam City ranked first nationwide among 75 city-level local governments in the “2023 Comprehensive Civil Service Evaluation” jointly hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, marking the third consecutive year as the top institution. Additionally, Hanam City received the “National Happiness Civil Service Office” certification from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for creating a convenient and safe civil service environment centered on service users, the first time since the city’s establishment. The remarkable achievements in civil administrative services were supported by efforts to realize “citizen-centered administrative services.” Mayor Lee Hyun-jae operated various communication systems such as mobile mayor’s office, open mayor’s office, and one-stop civil service immediately after taking office in 2022. Furthermore, since May this year, the “Civil Service Team Leader Responsibility Counseling System” has been implemented, where team leaders of the responsible departments visit the civil service office to directly listen to the grievances of citizens when complex civil complaints are received.

◇ Expansion of Convenient Public Transportation Infrastructure... Approval of Basic Plan for Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line Metropolitan Railway

Approval of the Basic Plan for the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line Metropolitan Railroad. Provided by Hanam City

This year, a public opinion survey commissioned to Realmeter showed that 42.9% of citizens selected “expansion of transportation infrastructure” as a “current issue in Hanam City.” Based on this feedback, Hanam City devoted full efforts to improving public transportation convenience throughout the year. Following the implementation of a quasi-public operation system for 22 village buses on 5 routes last year, the system was expanded in March this year to operate a total of 86 village buses on 18 routes under the quasi-public operation system. Additionally, starting December 2, the number of subway Line 5 Hanam Line trains during morning rush hours was increased by one trip each in both directions, totaling two additional trips. At the end of the year, the construction project for the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (an extension of subway Line 9) received approval of its basic plan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Committee. The approved basic plan reflected a change in the turnaround point for regular trains from the previously planned 942nd station (tentatively named Godeok Gangil 1 District Station) to the 944th station (tentatively named Shinmisa Station).

◇ Expansion of Living SOC... Opening of Gam-il Public Complex Building, Comprehensive Welfare Town, and Seafood Traditional Market Customer Support Center

Gamildong Administrative Welfare Center holds the opening ceremony for moving into Gamil Public Complex Building. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City made every effort to expand living SOC (social overhead capital) to improve residents’ convenience. First, in February this year, the Gam-il-dong Administrative Welfare Center moved into the Gam-il Public Complex Building and held an opening ceremony. The Gam-il Public Complex Building consists of one basement floor and five above-ground floors and houses the Gam-il-dong Administrative Welfare Center, national and public daycare centers, a health promotion center, a youth cultural center, and a comprehensive childcare support center, providing comprehensive services in administration, welfare, culture, and care. In March, the Hanam City Comprehensive Welfare Town (574 Sinjang-dong) was opened. The Welfare Town is a building completed in November 2023, consisting of a family harmony center and a veterans’ hall spanning from one basement floor to six above-ground floors, supporting welfare, culture, and care services for various age groups. In May, the Hanam Seafood Traditional Market Customer Support Center also opened. The opening of the Customer Support Center is part of the 8th municipal administration’s pledge to revitalize traditional markets and shopping districts and promote local economic development. The center operates a customer support center, a promotional hall, and a multipurpose education hall, enhancing convenience for visitors to the traditional market.

◇ Hanam Blossoming with Culture and Arts... ‘Music 人 The Hanam,’ ‘Stage Hanam Busking’ Gain Huge Popularity

‘Music In The Hanam’. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City showcased abundant cultural performances and festivals throughout the year, gaining recognition as the “Top Cultural and Arts City in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.” The Hanam Music Festival, “Music 人 The Hanam,” held with the goal of a citizen-centered festival, was successfully held at Hanam Sports Complex with about 20,000 attendees. Additionally, the Stage Hanam Busking was held 47 times across four major locations in Hanam ? Misa Lake Park and Misa Cultural Street, Hanam City Hall, Wirye Library, and Gam-il Nutgi Park (tentative name) ? receiving enthusiastic responses from citizens. The “2024 Hanam Iseong Fortress Cultural Festival,” planned to allow citizens to enjoy a magnificent light show and various history, culture, and performances on deep autumn nights, was held in September, leaving a profound impression. Especially, the main program, Light Festa, used the Iseong Fortress, a national heritage site from the Three Kingdoms period, as a stage to express Hanam’s past, present, and future through various lights and sculptures, earning fame as a landmark photo spot in Hanam.

◇ Happy Leisure City Hanam... Misa Hangang Sand Road with Flowing Music, Opening of Misa Island Pet Zone Receives Praise

'Misa Island Pet Zone'. Provided by Hanam City

This year, Hanam City created leisure spaces to help citizens take a break from their busy daily lives and recharge. In August, construction was completed to install CCTV, disaster safety broadcasting, and speakers that play music along the Misa Hangang Sand Road so that citizens can safely walk barefoot while enjoying beautiful melodies. Additionally, this month, electric heaters were installed on the loess paths in Pungsan Neighborhood Park No. 3, Misa Forest Park, Gam-il Cultural Park, and Wirye Sunra Park, the first such installation nationwide, upgrading the loess path facilities so people can walk barefoot even in winter. In July, the “Misa Island Pet Zone,” a playground where pet owners and their pets can joyfully play, was created within Dangjeong Neighborhood Park. Furthermore, in October, Hanam City’s official character “Hanami” was exhibited as a 10-meter-tall giant floating installation at Misa Lake Park, becoming a new landmark for Hanam City.

◇ Hanam Where Everyone from Children to Seniors is Happy... Opening of Hanam Child Love Playground, AI Health Robot ‘Hanami’

Happy Hanam for everyone from children to the elderly. Provided by Hanam City

Mayor Lee Hyun-jae made various policy efforts to create an environment where all generations?from children to youth to seniors?can be happy. In June this year, the Hanam Child Love Playground, an indoor playground facility consisting of a free play room and play program room to support healthy development of infants and toddlers and reduce parenting burdens, opened on the 4th floor of the Gam-il Public Complex Building. To achieve zero child traffic accidents, the “Hanam-type School Zone” was additionally completed at Pungsan Elementary and Narul Elementary Schools in November. To nurture local talent growing into global leaders, high school specialization and academic improvement projects were promoted, and university campus tours were conducted to boost motivation for career and college entrance. To assist youth employment, since January this year, an “AI Mock Interview Experience Center” that analyzes interview responses, key vocabulary, and emotions using AI technology, and a “Youth Space,” a lifestyle-oriented youth space where reading, dance, and futsal can be enjoyed, have been operated. The “AI Robot Utilization Senior Health Management Project” is also a notable policy. The AI health management robot “Hanami,” distributed to seniors living alone, served as a companion, guided wake-up, bedtime, and medication times, and excellently cared for their daily lives.

◇ Hanam in the World... Economic Cooperation Agreement with Arkansas, USA, and Membership in UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

Agreement signed for economic cooperation including expanding industrial exchange between the economic delegation of Arkansas, USA, and the region. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City promoted itself globally as a “K-Culture Hub City” and grew as a global city by gaining external recognition for excellence in lifelong learning. In March, an economic cooperation agreement was signed with the economic delegation from Arkansas, USA, who visited Korea, to expand industrial exchanges between the two regions. Mayor Lee requested active support from Arkansas for the K-Star World project, which is based on the K-Culture concept, and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded that she would definitely like to visit Hanam’s K-Star World site in the future. Additionally, in February this year, Hanam City achieved the milestone of joining UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). Joining UNESCO GNLC is significant as it recognizes Hanam’s citizen-tailored lifelong learning policies, including closing regional learning participation gaps through lifelong learning village operations and designating and operating regional lifelong learning centers through the A-B-C Hanam-type lifelong learning model. In August, a delegation from Taiwan, consisting of officials from the Ministry of Education and professors from National Chi Nan University, visited Hanam City to benchmark its excellent lifelong learning cases.

◇ “It Can Be Done” Strengthening Public Officials’ Capabilities, Active Collaboration with Central Government... Achievements in Rationalizing Greenbelt Regulations

Benchmarking the 'Frontier Leadership' of the late Chung Ju-yung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Group. Provided by Hanam City

This year, achievements in rationalizing regulations on the Greenbelt (GB) were made based on strengthening public officials’ capabilities and active collaboration with the central government. Mayor Lee worked hard to enhance public officials’ capabilities to encourage proactive administration. A representative example was benchmarking advanced domestic and international sites, including visiting HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan to learn the “Frontier Leadership” of the late Chung Ju-yung, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group, who built the world’s top shipbuilding nation with an indomitable spirit of “It can be done.” Through these efforts, Hanam City collaborated with the Office for Government Policy Coordination this year to achieve regulatory rationalization allowing the relocation of manufacturing facilities within the Greenbelt to nearby Greenbelt areas when they are inevitably demolished due to public interest projects.

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