Mayor Heo Seong-moo's 3rd Year in Office, "Completed the Foundation for Changwon's Great Transformation"

Passage of Changwon Special City Bill, Resolution of Major Issues Including Promotion of Self-Sufficient Complex Administrative Town

Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon is responding to reporters' questions. Photo by Sanghyun Lee lsh2055@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] On the 15th, Heo Seong-mu, Mayor of Changwon City, the sneaker market, stated, “We aimed for an administration that produces concrete and practical results rather than words, injecting change and innovation throughout the administration,” and reflected on the past three years by saying, “Now, the realization of a people-centered Changwon is even closer.”

Mayor Heo made these remarks at a press briefing held in the Citizen Hall of Changwon City Hall on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the 7th elected term.

First, Mayor Heo placed great significance on the passage of the Changwon Special City Act, a long-cherished wish of the 1.04 million citizens of Changwon.

He said, “Changwon City, which has been legally guaranteed quasi-metropolitan-level authority, plans to invest the increased autonomous finances significantly in expanding infrastructure such as roads, transportation, and parks.”

He also corrected gerrymandering that had persisted for 30 years.

Mayor Heo expressed hope that “the administrative districts of Uichang-gu and Seongsan-gu, which were distorted according to political interests, will be reorganized according to residents’ living areas, thereby resolving residents’ inconveniences.”

Mayor Heo actively promoted the self-sufficient complex administrative center that had been stalled for 10 years, resolved long-standing issues such as the elevation of the Materials Research Institute and the designation of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising as a national memorial day, which had been regional wishes for 30 years.

Last year, the city achieved the nationwide first results of zero casualties and zero vehicle flooding accidents through evacuation orders and complete vehicle traffic bans.

In response to the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19, the city operated a 24-hour comprehensive situation room and recorded the lowest number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people (77) among large cities with populations over one million nationwide.

With more meticulous and thorough administration, the city supported the lives of its citizens.

By issuing 319 billion won worth of the local currency Nubijeon and actively establishing a distribution base for Nubijeon, the city revitalized the local economy.

Moreover, to rebound the main industries that fell into crisis due to the decline of manufacturing and related industrial stagnation, the city took the lead in securing new growth engines.

Representative outcomes include attracting and confirming the name of Jinhae New Port, selection as a Smart Green Industrial Complex, and designation as a Small but Strong Research and Development Special Zone.

In particular, the city fostered the hydrogen industry as a new future food source, creating a turning point for Changwon’s economy.

The city established the nation’s first hydrogen energy circulation system demonstration complex, expanded hydrogen charging stations to the maximum among basic local governments, and promoted hydrogen vehicles.

In his closing remarks at the briefing, Mayor Heo said, “Over the three years of the 7th elected term, we have laid the foundation for a great transformation by conducting administration from the citizens’ perspective,” and expressed his ambition, “In the coming year, based on the completed foundation of the great transformation, we will surely create a new Changwon that changes the lives of each and every citizen.”