Mayor Lee Hyun-jae: "With the spirit of Mabuwichim... We will make this the first year of economic leap"

[2025 Local Government Head New Year's Address] Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam, Gyeonggi
Focusing Administrative Capabilities on Becoming a Business-Friendly and Economic City
Revolutionary Improvement of Transportation Infrastructure Including Village Bus Semi-Public Operation System
Promotion of Three Major Core Development Projects: Camp Colburn, K-Star World, etc.

“Welcoming the New Year of Eulsa in 2025, we will embrace the spirit of ‘Mabuwichim (磨斧爲針·sharpening an axe to make a needle)’ to carry out a challenging and innovative city administration, marking the first year of urban innovation and economic leap.”

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam City, stated in his New Year's address on the 31st, "With the spirit of perseverance, we will carry out a challenging and innovative administration to make this year the first year of urban innovation and economic leap." Photo by Hanam City

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam City, Gyeonggi Province, said in his New Year's address on the 31st, "based on a solid foundation built through administrative innovation, we plan to focus our administrative capabilities to transform Hanam into a business-friendly and economic city," he said.

Last year, Hanam City received excellent external evaluations, including ranking first nationwide in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's comprehensive civil service evaluation. However, economically, there is still room for improvement. Currently, the per capita GRDP is 27 million KRW, ranking 17th in Gyeonggi Province and only one-fifth of Gangnam’s level, making the leap to an economic city urgent.

The mayor emphasized strengthening urban competitiveness and announced five core strategies.

First is public transportation innovation. Plans include revolutionary improvements to transportation infrastructure through the semi-public operation system for village buses, public management system for city buses, and extensions of subway lines 9 and 3 to Hanam.

The mayor stated, "In 2025, we will stabilize the semi-public operation system for village buses and the public management system for city buses to provide reliable public transportation services. We will enhance transportation convenience for residents of Wirye and Gam-il through the construction of the new Hakam 1 Bridge and the public bus garage project in the western district." He added, "We will also create pedestrian pathways connecting Misa Hangang Park and the Hangang walking trail, and establish communication channels and hold residents’ briefings regarding the construction of the new Suseok Bridge to minimize inconvenience to residents."

Second is focusing on laying the foundation for economic growth. The city plans to actively promote three major core development projects that have been stalled for 18 years: the Camp Colbern project, the K-Star World project, and the Gyosan New Town development, to establish a self-sufficient city base. In particular, the city aims to establish a Special Purpose Corporation (SPC) in the second half of this year to actively attract businesses.

The mayor said, "The K-Star World project, which will serve as a stepping stone for Hanam to become a K-culture hub city, will be accelerated through the revision of GB release guidelines and shortened administrative procedures for foreign investment. We will begin the basic planning study, hold a pre-briefing for private business operators, prepare the draft guidelines for private business operator recruitment in the first half of the year, and officially launch the project through recruitment in the second half." He added, "Regarding Gyosan New Town, we will prepare thoroughly by establishing attraction strategies through studies related to the supply of self-sufficient facility sites to attract high-quality companies."

Especially, the mayor stressed that for Hanam to develop into a self-sufficient city where 500,000 people work, live, and enjoy leisure, the success of urban development projects is essential, and he asked for citizens’ cooperation.

Third is the cultural and arts sector. Building on last year’s achievement of 80,000 citizens participating in busking performances and cultural festivals, the city plans to integrate culture into citizens’ daily lives by expanding special busking performances in the Wirye and Gam-il areas and creating barefoot walking paths.

Fourth is strengthening support for nurturing future talents. The city plans to expand childbirth incentives and parental leave subsidies, and enhance educational infrastructure by expanding the Together Care Centers, building a Children’s Hall, and establishing an English-specialized library.

Lastly, the city aims to balance living infrastructure by district. Following the opening of the Deokpung Sports and Culture Center in the old downtown in January 2025, the Gam-il Complex Community Center is targeted for completion in the first half of the year, and the Misa 3-dong Public Complex Office and Wirye Complex Sports Facilities are planned for the second half. The goal is to create an environment where residents of the old downtown, Gam-il, Wirye, and Misa can conveniently use living infrastructure.

The mayor said, “I express my gratitude to everyone who showed interest and support for the city’s development despite difficult conditions last year. I ask for your continued affection and cooperation in the new year.” He emphasized, “2025 will be a year of challenge, and no matter how difficult the task, continuous effort will surely lead to success.”

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