Mayor Kim Dong-geun: "Protecting the Vulnerable and Prioritizing Livelihood Vitality... Establishing a Foundation for Future Growth"

[2025 Local Government Heads New Year's Address] Kim Dong-geun, Mayor of Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi
Presented policy blueprints on transportation and culture... Mourned Muan Airport passenger plane disaster
Promoted designation of Camp Jackson and other US military return areas as economic free zones
Efforts to include Minrak route GTX-F line in the 5th National Railroad Network Plan

"We will prioritize the protection of socially vulnerable groups and the vitality of people's livelihoods, and do our best to lay the foundation for future growth."

On the 30th, Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Dong-geun said this in his 2025 New Year's address, emphasizing that "stabilizing people's livelihoods and unwavering policy implementation are crucial at this time."

Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Dong-geun stated in his 2025 New Year's address on the 30th, "We will prioritize the protection of socially vulnerable groups and the livelihood of citizens, and strive to establish a foundation for future growth." Photo by Uijeongbu City

Mayor Kim stated, "Despite the difficulties faced by small business owners and political turmoil, Uijeongbu will demonstrate a mature model of local autonomy celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, based on a high level of civic consciousness. We will prioritize protecting socially vulnerable groups and strengthening the vitality of people's livelihoods, and strive to leap forward as a sustainable city."

He also presented various policy blueprints, including welfare policies, ways to sustain regional economic growth, and practical policies in transportation, culture, and administration that citizens can tangibly feel.

He said, "Currently, Uijeongbu City is implementing innovative policies to eliminate welfare blind spots. For the first time nationwide, families caring for severely disabled persons are recognized and supported as activity supporters. We are also promoting the establishment of an I-Dolbom Cluster that integrates infant care and elementary after-school care." He emphasized, "We have built a dense social safety net through the Honorary Social Welfare Officials Happy Bridge, the middle-aged and elderly solitary death prevention search team, and SOS emergency gap support centered around the Social Welfare Center."

Mayor Kim also announced plans to open a second branch this year following Hoho-dang, a resting place for the elderly located under Hyoja Station of the light rail. He pledged to provide Uijeongbu-style welfare that goes beyond the common scope of national social security systems, ensuring care for all.

Mayor Kim said, "Uijeongbu City is achieving concrete results for economic revitalization and job creation. Starting with the cloud data center, an essential infrastructure for the IT industry, we have successfully attracted investments from bio-innovation companies BioGansolution and CG Bio, as well as the Uijeongbu Nonghyup complex cultural facility. In June last year, the LH Northern Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters finally came to Uijeongbu," adding, "We have opened development possibilities for Camp Jackson, changed regulations to allow advanced industries to settle in Yonghyeon Industrial Complex, and eased height restrictions in cultural heritage preservation areas."

In particular, Uijeongbu City is developing the Uijeongbu Station area, selected as a candidate site for the Spatial Innovation Leading Project by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and is promoting the designation of an economic free zone utilizing returned military land. The city also plans to secure new growth engines by creating a K-Culture video filming specialized complex within the integrated cultural convergence complex. At a corporate attraction briefing held last November, about 100 corporate representatives showed strong interest in Uijeongbu.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun promised, "Starting with Camp Jackson, we will bring news of corporate attraction to the returned U.S. military land. To break through the future growth constraints of Uijeongbu City, which is bound by overlapping regulations under the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act, we will promote the designation of an economic free zone utilizing the returned military land."

He continued, "We will develop the Uijeongbu Station area, recognized for its potential as a candidate site for the Spatial Innovation Leading Project by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, into a compact city where people can live and work within the city."

Mayor Kim also mentioned that the city is creating a safe and convenient transportation environment by reflecting citizens' opinions and analyzing big data.

He said, "Uijeongbu City is implementing various transportation improvement policies to enhance citizens' mobility convenience. Last year, we introduced the quasi-public village bus 'Uijeongbu 01 Public Bus,' connecting Minrak and Gosan districts with Jangam Station, and launched the 1205 express bus linking to Sangbong Station on Line 7. This year, we plan to introduce a demand-responsive transit (DRT) bus connecting Minrak and Gosan districts with Byeollae Station on Line 8, temporarily lift the BRT on Sinpyeonghwa-ro, and open a bypass road at Minrak Tollgate to alleviate traffic congestion," he said.

Additionally, the city plans to expand diagonal crosswalks and optimize traffic signals to improve convenience for both pedestrians and drivers.

Mayor Kim emphasized, "We will do our best to have the extension of Subway Line 8 to Uijeongbu included in the 5th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan, and the GTX-F line passing through Minrak reflected in the 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan."

Mayor Kim stated, "We are designing the city centered on pedestrians and creating attractive spaces throughout the city to make walking enjoyable."

He said, "The Walkable City Bureau, newly established nationwide for the first time last August, integrates pedestrian-centered urban design, transportation, green spaces, and river departments to promote policies from a comprehensive urban perspective. We focus on creating a city where anyone in Uijeongbu can enter nature within a 10-minute walk and connect to other attractive spaces."

Mayor Kim added, "Six rivers in the city center are transforming into distinctive spaces combining experience, learning, healing, and culture. Ja-il Forest Bathing Area and Singok Saebit Garden have become special places where citizens can encounter nature."

He also said, "We plan to transform the Nokyang-dong Sports Complex, which has been operated mainly for elite athletes, into a citizen leisure sports town, and to expand the base for park golf, a popular sport among the silver generation, by creating Buyong Park Golf Course."

Mayor Kim said, "In the new year 2025, Uijeongbu City will focus on stabilizing people's livelihoods and make a new leap through sustainable development. We will solve problems and implement feasible policies together with citizens, and conduct open, communicative, and cooperative administration to create a city where everyone is happy."

Mayor Kim expressed condolences regarding the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do that occurred on the 29th.

He said, "I extend my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the victims and their families of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident."

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