Uiryeong County Selects '4·26 Memorial Park' as Top Story in 'Top 10 News of 2025'

Zero Casualties in Flood Response and Launch of Civil Affairs Mobile Task Force Rank High

Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang Province has selected the creation of the '4·26 Memorial Park,' honoring the victims of the Woo Police Officer shooting incident, as the number one item in its 'Top 10 News Stories of 2025' representing county administration this year.

The greatest significance was recognized in the fact that the county has officially established a memorial space for a pain that had lingered in the hearts of the community for 43 years.

Staff members of the Uiryeong County Planning and Budget Office selected the 'Top 10 News Stories of Uiryeong County for 2025' through a survey. The Planning and Budget Office is regarded as a core department responsible for major administrative planning, budget allocation, audits, regulatory reform, and media relations.

Completion Ceremony of Uiryeong 4·26 Memorial Park. Provided by Uiryeong County

Staff members commented, "If last year's first memorial service opened the door to remembrance, the completion of the memorial park is the true embrace and culmination of that pain."

Although the government at the time thoroughly covered up the incident and even used the tragedy for political purposes, Uiryeong County expedited the process with 'sincere administration,' empathizing with the victims who had lived with pain for so long.

While it took 42 years to construct the memorial tower, the entire memorial park was completed in just one year, transforming long-standing sorrow into genuine consolation.

The second most significant news story in Uiryeong County's 'Top 10 News Stories of 2025' is the 'zero casualties flood response,' achieved through proactive measures during an extreme downpour of 513 mm over four days last summer.

In particular, in Guseong Village, Daeuimyeon, where half the village was at risk of flooding, swift evacuation measures by the county ensured that not a single casualty occurred, earning the event the title 'Miracle of Uiryeong' and drawing media attention.

Military, police, and firefighting officials engaged in rescue operations at the flood site in Daeuimyeon. Courtesy of Uiryeong County

The third place goes to the 'Civil Affairs Mobile Task Force,' which quickly resolves residents' daily complaints. Launched in May, the task force, also known as the 'Filial Service Agency,' received widespread support and was remembered as an unsung hero for its emergency repairs and support at flood sites for over two months during the extreme rains.

Fourth place is awarded to the opening of the 'Middle East Harmony Center,' which transformed the former Mirim Bath site-a long-standing urban blight left neglected for over 20 years in the heart of Uiryeong-into a new community facility. Developed as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's New Deal project after demolition, it has also contributed to revitalizing the old city center.

Fifth and sixth places were taken by the region's representative festival and a national commemorative event, respectively.

Middle East Harmony Center. Courtesy of Uiryeong County

The 4th Rich Rich Festival set a new record with 340,000 visitors over four days, the highest number of tourists ever. The 15th Uibyeong Day, a national commemorative event, was held in Uiryeong for the first time in 14 years to mark the 50th anniversary of the Honguijanggun Festival, drawing attention for its historical significance.

Seventh place goes to the result from the '2024 Gyeongsangnam-do Social Survey,' in which Uiryeong County ranked first in the province for satisfaction with pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare welfare at 43.7%. This figure far exceeds the provincial average of 29.1%, demonstrating the effectiveness of resident-oriented welfare policies.

Other items in the Top 10 News Stories include: ▲The opening of Uiryeong's first youth rental housing, 'Doran Doran Youth House' ▲The launch of the countywide committee to promote the North-South Axis Expressway ▲The start of the Special Educational Development Zone project.

County Governor Oh Taewan stated, "This year, I felt both pride and responsibility as I shared the stories of life with residents in the field," adding, "Next year, I will continue to create new and meaningful changes together with the people of the county."

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