Lee Jae-jun, the mayor of Suwon, promised to eliminate inequality and create "a city for all, one Suwon." He also urged a reconsideration of the "Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act," which he described as shackles for businesses.
On the 1st, ahead of the first anniversary of the launch of the 8th local government, Mayor Lee held a press briefing at the Suwon Convention Center, stating, "In the past, advanced countries also enacted laws similar to the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act, but due to excessive regulations hindering national economic development and weakening national competitiveness, they undertook major revisions." He added, "Our country must also lower the excessive tax rates imposed on companies located in the overconcentration control zones under the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act."
He continued, "Regulations in the overconcentration control zones have become shackles that make business activities difficult in Suwon," and pointed out, "Cities designated as overconcentration control zones are experiencing stagnation in development due to excessive restrictions."
Under the current "Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act," Suwon and 14 other local governments in the province are classified as "overconcentration control zones." Establishing a corporation in these zones incurs higher costs than in other areas due to additional taxes on real estate acquisition. If companies relocate outside these zones, they receive corporate tax reduction benefits, leading businesses to move to local governments with fewer regulations.
The keywords of Mayor Lee Jae-jun's briefing were "economy" and "one Suwon." He mentioned "economy" 11 times and "one Suwon" and "participation" 5 times each.
Mayor Lee emphasized, "Suwon's fiscal independence ratio, which was 89% in 2000, has halved to 46% this year over about 20 years, and economic vitality is gradually declining. We must attract companies and investments to secure tax revenue stably so that we can create a city where citizens want to live and revive Suwon's economy."
He added, "Over the past year, we have built a foundation to encourage citizen participation in city administration. Now, Suwon will become a city created by the hands of its citizens."
He presented policies and projects requiring citizen participation, including ▲ the mobile city administration participation platform "Saewit Toktok," ▲ the Suwon-style integrated care project "Suwon Saewit Care," ▲ "Palm Gardens" created throughout neighborhoods, and ▲ "Saewit Safety Keepers" responding to disasters.
In conclusion, Mayor Lee promised, "Now, Suwon will move forward as a city that guarantees safety, health, prosperity, and sustainability around our lives and eliminates the inequalities felt by citizens. We will create 'a city for all, one Suwon' that protects the lives of all citizens and resolves inequality."
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