Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special City Mayor: "Soaring as a Northeast Asia Hub City with 1 Million Citizens by 2025"

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam is celebrating the 30th anniversary of local autonomy under direct election, declaring its leap toward becoming a central city in Northeast Asia and taking steps toward a new future.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, expressed a strong commitment to the development of Changwon in his New Year's address announced on the 30th.

He emphasized, “In 2025, Changwon will spread its wings and soar boldly with the power of one million citizens. We will lead sustainable growth together with our citizens.”

Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special City Mayor.

◆A Major Transformation of Changwon National Industrial Complex into an Industrial Innovation Park

Over the past two and a half years, Changwon City has made comprehensive efforts to revitalize the Changwon National Industrial Complex (Industrial Complex). In particular, the Changwon National Industrial Complex has begun a major transformation into the ‘Changwon Industrial Innovation Park,’ drawing a blueprint for the next 50 years of the future beyond the glory of the past half-century. In 2024, the Changwon National Industrial Complex recorded a production value of 60 trillion won and surpassed $10 billion in exports for the first time in 11 years. Additionally, the trade surplus ranked fifth highest among basic and metropolitan local governments nationwide.

Mayor Hong stated, “In this era of great transformation where crisis and opportunity intersect, sustainable future cannot be guaranteed without change and challenge,” and announced that the Changwon National Industrial Complex will be transformed into a sustainable industrial complex through digitalization and cultural convergence.

◆Changwon Where Youth Want to Live: Establishing a Virtuous Cycle Structure of Education, Employment, and Settlement

This year, Changwon City aims to become a ‘vibrant city where youth want to live’ by significantly expanding opportunities for young people to grow and take on challenges.

Mayor Hong said, “We will closely connect universities, companies, and research institutes to expand learning and job opportunities that young people want, and establish a virtuous cycle structure linking education, employment, and settlement.” To this end, support will be provided for opening professional departments such as medical schools and law schools, and entrepreneurship and job programs specialized for Changwon will be strengthened.

Mayor Hong also emphasized focusing on people-centered administration and city governance closely connected to citizens’ daily lives. He said, “We will realize changes that citizens can feel in their daily lives,” and pledged to enhance citizens’ welfare through the construction of administrative and cultural centers and the expansion of sports facilities. In particular, various solutions will be sought to address the biggest inconvenience for citizens: securing parking spaces.

Furthermore, Changwon City plans to prioritize public safety and focus on protecting citizens in threatening situations. Efforts will also be made to create a safe urban environment for the sustainable development of Changwon.

◆“Changwon Leading Change, Leaping in the Era of Hyper-Competition”

Mayor Hong stressed, “In this era of fierce competition among local governments, we must leverage Changwon’s unique comparative advantages to create a time of leap forward.” He is confident that Changwon’s competitiveness has already been proven in many areas and that the unity and harmony of its citizens will be a key driving force opening a hopeful future.

In his New Year's address, Mayor Hong stated, “Changwon has sufficient capabilities,” and pledged to continue relentless challenges and innovation together with the citizens. Changwon plans to repeatedly undergo change and growth, laying the foundation for a better future.

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