"Unwavering Commitment Until the End"... Mayor Lee Gangdeok of Pohang Reflects on 12 Years and Outlines the City's Future Blueprint

Lee Gangdeok, who has served as the "captain" of the giant ship that is Pohang for 12 years, is now preparing to return to port.

On December 1, Mayor Lee stated, "I will continue to do my utmost in 2026 to create a city where citizens are happy, without wavering."

Through his municipal administration speech at the 2nd regular meeting of the 327th session of the Pohang City Council held that day, Mayor Lee reflected on his 12 years as mayor and outlined the future development direction of Pohang.

Lee Gangdeok, Mayor of Pohang, delivered a municipal administration speech at the 2nd regular meeting of the 327th session on the 1st. Photo by Pohang City

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Mayor Lee explained how, since taking office in 2014, he has expanded the city’s industrial base beyond a steel-centered, single-industry structure to encompass three new industries: secondary batteries, bio, and hydrogen.

He highlighted the cultivation of an AI ecosystem to drive Korea’s future growth, the leap toward becoming a tourism and MICE city, the Greenway Project that transformed Pohang from a gray city to a green city, the clarification of the causes of the induced earthquake and the enactment of a special earthquake law to support affected citizens, as well as the establishment of a cultural foundation and the city’s advancement as a cultural hub, as the most significant changes of the past 12 years.

He also expressed deep respect and gratitude, saying, "All these achievements were possible thanks to the citizens who joined forces for Pohang’s future whenever times were tough."

Currently, Pohang stands at a critical turning point, facing the decline of the steel industry and the rise of high-tech industries, population decline, and concentration in the capital region. Mayor Lee emphasized that, amid these changes, the role of the city’s finances has become increasingly important.

He stated, "Next year’s budget will serve as a priming pump for the city’s future," and presented a plan to set the 2026 budget at 3.088 trillion won, aiming to realize "Pohang at the center of the East Sea Rim, sustainable through creativity, convergence, and innovation."

First, he plans to lay a solid foundation for growth by innovating root industries and expanding new growth industries.

To revitalize the steel industry, which is struggling due to declining domestic demand, global oversupply, and high tariffs, he intends to make full use of the K-Steel Act, the designation as a preemptive response area for industrial crisis, and the designation as a preemptive response area for employment crisis. At the same time, he will accelerate the creation of an AI expressway so that Pohang can take the lead in establishing Korea as a global AI powerhouse.

In addition, the city is preparing to become a global innovation economy hub by securing core technologies and expanding the industrial ecosystem for the three new industries-secondary batteries, hydrogen, and bio-and by providing renewable energy through offshore wind power.

Second, in the era of globalization, the city will focus its capabilities on making Pohang a place where people and logistics converge on the global stage.

By upgrading urban infrastructure and accommodation and transportation environments centered around the Pohang International Exhibition and Convention Center, the city will lay the foundation for becoming a global MICE city.

By renovating aging residential areas in connection with the relocation of POSCO dormitories and expanding the "1,000-won housing" program for young people and newlyweds, the city will revitalize the old downtown and create attractive urban spaces. Furthermore, in rural and fishing villages, the city will establish living hubs that combine culture, leisure, and welfare, building a foundation for balanced development between urban and rural areas.

By improving the infrastructure of Pohang Gyeongju Airport and Pohang Station, the city will enhance access to the metropolitan transportation network. Additionally, by developing Yeongilman Port as the central gateway for shipping and logistics in the era of the Arctic route, Pohang will establish urban infrastructure that leads national balanced development.

Third, the city plans to lay the groundwork for a dynamic, innovative city where citizens can pursue their dreams with confidence and realize them.

By establishing an international school, expanding the free economic zone, and strengthening startup infrastructure, the city will create an environment conducive to corporate investment. Through the POBATT Urban Campus Town, the city will nurture the old downtown as a hub for cultivating talent in advanced industries.

Finally, Mayor Lee stated his commitment to ensuring that all citizens enjoy a happy daily life by guaranteeing broad opportunities for cultural and leisure activities.

By expanding community sports facilities, constructing a second municipal art museum and a municipal museum, the city will support citizens’ leisure activities and build a cultural foundation. The restoration of the four major streams and the designation of Homiban-do as a national marine garden will realize a green garden city where urban and natural environments harmoniously coexist.

With the construction of the East Sea Rim Defense History and Culture Center, the city will shed new light on Pohang’s historical symbolism. By expanding professional medical staff at public health centers and opening health lifestyle support centers, the city will continue to strengthen public and essential medical services.

Mayor Lee emphasized, "It was only thanks to the power of our great 500,000 citizens who stood together whenever Pohang faced difficulties that I was able to serve as mayor for 12 years." He added, "Just as the great pioneers of Yeongilman ultimately realized the dream of national prosperity through steelmaking despite countless hardships, we must carry on that spirit and move forward as 'Pohang in the World.' I will do my best for the development of Pohang and the future of Korea, anytime and anywhere."

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