Kim Kyung-hee, Mayor of Icheon, "Good Companies Are Needed to Create Jobs"

"Focusing on Fostering Advanced Industries to Revitalize the Local Economy"
"Creating a City Where Children Can Be Raised Safely"

"Good companies create jobs. In the new year, we will focus on fostering advanced industries to revitalize the local economy."

Kim Kyung-hee, mayor of Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province, rolled up her sleeves to attract companies in advanced fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and defense industries.

Kim Kyung-hee, Mayor of Icheon. [Photo by Icheon City]

In a New Year's interview, Mayor Kim stated, "Leading with the newly established dedicated investment attraction team, we will prepare various corporate attraction strategies to secure good companies, and also enhance the competitiveness of existing small and medium enterprises through domestic and overseas market development and financial support."

She especially emphasized, "We will accelerate the creation of a semiconductor and advanced industry ecosystem." The city plans to specify the location and development methods of the Future City Experience Center and the Semiconductor Research Complex, induce private investment, and develop Daewol Industrial Complex into an eco-friendly advanced industrial complex by next year and by 2025, thereby expanding the volume of the 'Semiconductor Park' envisioned by the city.

Mayor Kim identified the key success factor for the semiconductor industry as "timely securing of talent needed by companies." She explained that they will build a semiconductor talent development center and establish a system linking practical talent cultivation and employment through the newly established Icheon Jeil High School's semiconductor contract department.

Welfare is also a key focus of Mayor Kim's administration this year. She said, "While pediatric medical systems are collapsing nationwide, Icheon City has established a pediatrics department at Gyeonggi Medical Center Icheon Hospital and started night-time medical services," adding, "We will make the city a place where people can give birth and raise children with peace of mind."

To this end, the city plans to support up to 90% of the out-of-pocket expenses for maternal and newborn health care services and provide subsidies for out-of-pocket expenses for childcare services to families with a second child or more. Additionally, the city will expand national and public daycare centers and operate a 24-hour childcare center to build a public system where children can be entrusted anytime with confidence.

Mayor Kim stated, "We will continuously discover and support welfare blind spots through community welfare involving residents to create an Icheon City where no citizen is marginalized and everyone is happy," and added, "Especially for the elderly and disabled, we will provide not only public short-term work but also employment placement and vocational training to offer practical help in their lives."

However, Mayor Kim revealed, "Due to the sharp decline in city tax revenue caused by the economic downturn and semiconductor slump, major projects of the 8th elected administration, such as roads and social overhead capital (SOC) facilities, must undergo an unwanted pause."

Mayor Kim explained, "The important thing is the attitude to face the crisis," and said, "This is why the New Year's motto was set as ‘Yongseopdaecheon (用涉大川).’" ‘Yongseopdaecheon’ means that a humble and virtuous person crosses a great river.

She expressed her determination, saying, "We will gather the strength of citizens who have overcome countless obstacles with wisdom and courage to boldly overcome the current crisis and strive toward higher goals."